Chetan Bhagat: Difference between revisions

{{short description|Indian author and columnist }}

{{BLP sources|date=July 2020}}

| name = Chetan Bhagat

| image = Chetan Bhagat.jpg

| caption = Bhagat in 2012

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|04|22|df=yes}}

| birth_name = Chetan Prakash Bhagat

| birth_place = [[Delhi]], India

| language = English, Hindi

| education = [[Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi]] (B.Tech)<br>[[Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad]] (PGP)

| period = 2004-present

| genre = romance, realistic fiction, non-fiction

| notableworks = ''[[Five Point Someone]]'', ''[[2 States: The Story of My Marriage]]'', ''[[The 3 Mistakes of My Life]]'', ''[[Half Girlfriend]]''

'''Chetan Bhagat'''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Trial court told to hear Chetan Bhagat’s plea plagiarism case|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2017/may/06/trial-court-told-to-hear-chetan-bhagats-plea-in-plagiarism-case-1601645.html|date=6 May 2017|access-date=2020-07-25|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> (born 22 April 1974)<ref name="Livemint5PointFormula08">{{Cite web|last=Kalita|first=S. Mitra|date=2008-05-17|title=Chetan Bhagat {{!}} The five-point formula: keep it simple|url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/h1VNDUaEfr7TDyFpWRC4jO/Chetan-Bhagat--The-fivepoint-formula-keep-it-simple.html|access-date=2020-07-25|website=Livemint}}</ref> is an Indian author and columnist. He was included in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine's list of World's 100 Most Influential People in 2010.<ref name=Time>{{cite web |title=The 2010 TIME 100 |url=http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1984685,00.html |website=Time |access-date=26 November 2019}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=2014-10-22|title=Chetan Bhagat, please stop writing books, concentrate on Bollywood instead|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/chetan-bhagat-please-stop-writing-books-concentrate-on-bollywood-instead/story-WQG3VzHs9oFjSXwLVQ5X8H.html|access-date=2021-03-17|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

Bhagat graduated in mechanical engineering at [[IIT Delhi]] and completed a PGP at [[IIM Ahmedabad]]. He started his career as an investment banker but left it after a few years to pursue writing. He has written nine novels and three non-fiction books. His first novel, ''[[Five Point Someone]]'', was published in 2004. His novels have been listed as bestsellers.

 

Chetan Bhagat grew up in Naraina Vihar, West Delhi in a traditional middle-class Punjabi Hindu family. His father served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the [[Indian Army]] and his mother worked in a government job in the agriculture department. He was schooled at [[Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan|The Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=An Interview With Chetan Bhagat|url=https://www.forbesindia.com/interview/magazine-extra/an-interview-with-chetan-bhagat/8452/1|website=Forbes India|access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref> He claims to have been an average student at the age of 15.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chetan Bhagat tweets his CBSE Class 10 mark-sheet – shares how an aggregate 76% cannot define your future|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/education/article/chetan-bhagat-tweets-his-cbse-class-10-mark-sheet-shares-how-an-aggregate-76-cannot-define-your-future/463192|website=timesnownews.com|access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=People {{!}} Q & A with Chetan Bhagat|url=http://www.verveonline.com/41/people/chetanfull.shtml|website=verveonline.com|access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref>

Bhagat graduated with a BTech degree in Mechanical Engineering from the [[Indian Institute of Technology Delhi|Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi]] in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tale of the lucky hostel room|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/tale-of-the-lucky-hostel-room/story-tW9CADMSetH7P3cCIJHERM.html|date=24 February 2012|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref>

Bhagat then went on to do an master's of business administration degree in marketing from the [[Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad|Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad]] (IIMA) and graduated in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web|title=25 best quotes by Chetan Bhagat on career, education, love and success – IndiaTV news|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/business/india/updated-news-chetan-bhagat-quotes-career-education-success-8301.html|last=Desk|first=India TV News|date=21 October 2013|website=indiatvnews.com|access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Sunday Tribune – Books|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060604/spectrum/book5.htm|website=The Tribune|access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref> In June 2018, IIMA awarded him the "Young Alumni Achiever’s Awards 2018" in the Art & Entertainment category.<ref>{{Cite web|title=HILARIOUS: Here's Chetan Bhagat big takeaway after receiving an award at IIM Ahmedabad|url=https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/general-news/hilarious-heres-chetan-bhagat-big-takeaway-after-receiving-an-award-at-iim-ahmedabad|website=Republic World|access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref>

After graduating with a master's of business administration degree in 1997, Bhagat was placed through his campus at [[Peregrine Investments Holdings]] in [[Hong Kong]]. However, Bhagat lost this job within six months as the company closed its operations in 1998. His next job was as an investment banker with [[Goldman Sachs]] at their Hong Kong office. Despite being unhappy with his boss, he stayed on and kept this boss in mind when he characterised the villain in his second novel ''[[One Night @ the Call Center]]''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Ganguly|first=Dibeyendu|date=22 August 2008|title=Chetan Bhagat: Novelist turn rock star|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/chetan-bhagat-novelist-turn-rock-star/articleshow/3391727.cms|access-date=28 May 2020}}</ref> Bhagat spent most of his time at the Goldman Sachs office in writing, completing and revising drafts of his first novel, ''[[Five Point Someone]]''. After two years, [[Rupa Publications]] accepted his manuscript and offered to publish it.

Bhagat quit Goldman Sachs and joined [[Deutsche Bank]]. By 2006, he was vice-president, Strategic Investment Group, Deutsche Bank in Hong Kong.<ref>{{Cite web|title=People {{!}} Q & A with Chetan Bhagat|url=http://www.verveonline.com/41/people/chetanfull.shtml|website=www.verveonline.com|access-date=28 May 2020}}</ref> His second novel, ''One Night @ the Call Center,'' was published in 2005 and became a best-seller. In March 2008, Bhagat moved back to India with his wife and three-year-old twin sons. He joined as a director in Deutsche Bank's distressed-assets team in Kodak House, Mumbai. The same year his third novel, ''[[The 3 Mistakes of My Life]]'', was published and sold five lakh copies in three months.

Bhagat is also a popular [http://www.chetanbhagat.com/invite-as-speaker/ motivational speaker] and has spoken at more than 300 organizations in 50 cities around the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 10 Motivational Speaker in India |url=https://www.indianspeakerbureau.com/blog/top-10-indian-motivational-speakers-in-2021/ |website=IndianSpeakerBureau.com |access-date=28 December 2020}}</ref>  

Five of his novels have been adapted into movies. Regarding the film ''[[3 Idiots]]'' released in 2009 (based on his novel ''Five Point Someone''), Bhagat alleged that the makers of the film had not given him adequate credit.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-01-01|title=Chetan Bhagat miffed with 3 Idiots makers|url=https://www.livemint.com/Home-Page/hn259d3zOZ916B3i256BYM/Chetan-Bhagat-miffed-with-3-Idiots-makers.html|access-date=2020-06-08|website=Livemint}}</ref> For ''[[Kai Po Che!]]''' (2013) based on his novel ''[[The 3 Mistakes of My Life]]'', Bhagat was one of the four screenplay writers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chetan Bhagat talks about Kai Po Che, the film based on his book|url=https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/books/chetan-bhagat-talks-about-kai-po-che-the-film-based-on-his-book-1.330631|access-date=2020-06-15|website=The National|language=en}}</ref> The film was a commercial success and Bhagat, along with Pubali Chaudri, Supratik Sen and Abhishek Kapoor won the Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay for ''Kai Po Che!'' at the 59th Filmfare Awards.

Bhagat has been criticised for his writing skills.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Why I gave Chetan Bhagat the 'nastiest review'|url=https://www.dailyo.in/arts/chetan-bhagat-one-indian-girl-catcher-in-the-rye-open-novelist-toi-feminism/story/1/13537.html|access-date=23 May 2020|website=dailyo.in}}</ref> He has even been accused of plagiarism for his novel ''[[One Indian Girl]],'' which he denied.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 April 2017|title=Chetan Bhagat accused of plagiarising his latest bestseller, One Indian Girl|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/chetan-bhagat-accused-of-plagiarising-his-latest-bestseller-one-indian-girl/story-1DLX2bx5PYZQQdGmhFUekK.html|access-date=23 May 2020|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Sales of Chetan Bhagat’s ‘One Indian Girl’ stopped by injunction, on plagiarism charges|url=https://scroll.in/latest/835550/chetan-bhagats-one-indian-girl-ordered-out-of-bookstores-on-plagiarism-charges|access-date=23 May 2020|website=Scroll.in}}</ref>

In April 2017, the [[University of Delhi]]'s decision to include Bhagat's novel ''Five Point Someone'' as part of the English Literature syllabus was criticised.<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 April 2017|title=Chetan Bhagat’s Five Point Someone in Delhi University English literature syllabus|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/chetan-bhagat-s-five-point-someone-in-delhi-university-english-literature-syllabus/story-JVRGnIQX5C7oGkaLnfysIN.html|access-date=23 May 2020|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Chetan Bhagat's Five Point Someone To Be Part Of DU's English Literature Syllabus|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/chetan-bhagats-five-point-someone-to-be-part-of-dus-english-literature-syllabus/298646|access-date=23 May 2020|website=outlookindia.com/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=25 April 2017|title=Five Point Someone in DU syllabus: Let’s stop blaming Chetan Bhagat and start rueing the state of Indian readership|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/web-edits/delhi-university-english-five-point-someone-in-du-syllabus-lets-stop-blaming-chetan-bhagat-and-start-rueing-the-state-of-indian-readership/|access-date=23 May 2020|website=The Indian Express}}</ref> In September 2017 the University announced that they had kept this decision on hold.<ref>{{Cite web|last=MP|first=Team|date=24 September 2017|title='Five Point Someone' not part of DU curriculum this session|url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/delhi/five-point-someone-not-part-of-du-curriculum-this-session-263547|access-date=23 May 2020|website=millenniumpost.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Malavikka|date=25 September 2017|title=DU’s Proposal To Add 'Five Point Someone' in Curriculum Reconsidered|url=https://www.careerindia.com/news/delhi-university-proposal-to-add-five-point-someone-reconsidered-020712.html|access-date=23 May 2020|website=careerindia.com}}</ref>Sweta Kaushal from Hindustan Times wrote a piece, requesting Bhagat to stop writing books and just focus on sensible books.<ref name=":3" />

*''[https://www.amazon.in/Making-India-Awesome-Essays-Columns/dp/8129137429/ref=sr_1_1?crid=21GWDY4Y63MDZ&dchild=1&keywords=making+india+awesome+chetan+bhagat&qid=1610181519&sprefix=making+india%2Caps%2C387&sr=8-1 Making India Awesome]'' (2015)

*'' [https://www.amazon.in/India-Positive-Essays-Selected-Columns/dp/1542044162/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2N04DW2MLVJOF&dchild=1&keywords=india+positive+chetan+bhagat&qid=1610181573&sprefix=india+pos%2Caps%2C389&sr=8-2 India Positive]'' (2019)

*Listed '47' among the "100 Most Creative People 2011" by the [[Fast Company]] American business magazine and business media brand<ref>{{Cite web|title=47. Chetan Bhagat|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3018453/47-chetan-bhagat|date=18 May 2011|publisher=Fast Company|access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref>

*Ranked No. 82 on the 2017 [[Forbes India]] Celebrity 100 list.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chetan Bhagat: Writing For Millennials|url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/2017-celebrity-100/chetan-bhagat-writing-for-millennials/49039/1|website=Forbes India|language=en|access-date=2020-05-30}}</ref>

{{Reflist|}}

[[Category: 1974 births]]

[[Category: English-language writers from India]]

[[Category: Indian male novelists]]

[[Category: Living people]]

[[Category: Punjabi people]]

[[Category: Indian writers]]

[[Category: Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad alumni]]

[[Category: 21st-century Indian novelists]]

[[Category: Screenwriters from Delhi]]

[[Category: Indian male screenwriters]]

[[Category: 21st-century Indian essayists]]

[[Category: Indian male essayists]]

[[Category: 20th-century Indian journalists]]

[[Category: The Times of India journalists]]

[[Category: Indian male journalists]]

[[Category: 20th-century Indian male writers]]

[[Category: 21st-century Indian male writers]]

[[Category: Novelists from Delhi]]