Saying "Hello" to Chetan Bhagat (Interview)

Priya Rajendran catches up with author Chetan Bhagat as he speaks about his book One Night @ the Call Centre... adapted into the Bollywood film "Hello".

Your book has been adapted into a Bollywood masala movie...How are you feeling now?

I am quite excited as Atul has roped in the biggest Bollywood stars. Salman is playing my character. What more could I have asked for? I am really happy with the treatment given to the film.

I am sure you are on Cloud Nine now...

I have been extremely happy and excited right from the day I came to know that my book will be adapted into a movie. I was quite surprised when Atul (Director) approached me for the movie script. I agreed when he told me how the theme would be incorporated into the movie. I have been a storyteller and have been quite focused before and after I wrote this book. And, I do not get carried off too.

We heard that you had set some conditions to make this movie...

Yeah, you heard it right. I kept three conditions in front of Atul. First that there should be a Punjabi song, Salman Khan had to take his shirt off and of course, the last one: making the movie more fun!

The director would have flipped...

(Laughs) Yeah, the moviemakers were quite shocked at the three conditions as they were set by an author whom they probably thought of as conventional and who would not think of making a masala movie from his own book!

"Hello" has added a feather to your cap...

Hmmm, yes you can say that. I'll probably be recognised better.

It is a benchmark movie made from a popular book...

It is literature coming to life. Yeah the biggest attraction of this movie is that it will capture a wider audience. When you have stars like Salman, Katrina, Sharman Joshi, Isha Koppikkar, Amrita Arora, Sohail Khan playing the characters in the book, it means more publicity for my story too. Though, I am nervous before the movie's release!

During the making of the movie...

It was fun working with Atul. Both of us worked together for two years on the film. The film is not too dark like the book! Our main aim was not to compete with the book. However, there are no unrealistic songs in it. It is set in a disco and there's a separate background for the movie to make it a bit different from the book.

Idea behind writing One Night @ ...

I believe there's a supernatural force driving all of us and I wanted to just portray that. It has been always been naturally inside me. I have had lots of voices speaking inside me. But, two points struck me while writing it: First, it had to be in one night and second, the most bizarre call had to be from God!

The theme of all your books is youth...any special reasons?

My main aim has always been to entertain and be an inspiring force for the youth. After all, life's tough and competition very high and youth do need a guiding light. Since I have gone through this during my IIT days (in Five Point Someone), my stories reflect the same. Moreover, I connect well with the youth!

Has Commercial fiction made its inroads into India?

Commercial fiction has always been there. It's just that we need better stories and good writers for Bollywood. The concept was started in the West long ago, though.

Has this trend changed in the last few years...

I think filmmakers these days are open to doing different and non-conventional movies. Now even Indian audiences are changing their tastes. They no longer want to see hero-heroines running and dancing around trees. They also go to watch the movie with the sole purpose of seeing something different.

Your blog has also become popular...

I get nearly 500 responses on it daily. It is overwhelming for me to see that so many people place their faith in me.

Your experiences as a writer till now...

It has been good all along. I have always written stories about suffering in society or whatever has tormented me in my life.

Chetan as philosopher/writer/?

(Laughs) A 'mismanaged' father of twins as I hardly get time to spend with them. At the end of the day, I am a family man - through and through!

Read the interview at https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/saying-hello-to-chetan-bhagat/story-a4nA2lYWUgvWZx5dIfddIK.html

Comments

Golden Doordarshan Memories...

Let me begin my blog by paying a tribute to good old Doordarshan. If I do not do this, I would fail all loyal telly lovers whose first love was DD right from its inception. After AIR, it was a lifeline for people across all spheres of life. I can vouch for one thing that DD lovers would not have missed the daily news or 'Chitrahaar' (new film songs) or the "Rangoli" (old retro numbers) on Sunday mornings. Check this link: http://8ate.blogspot.com/2009/10/famous-old-faces-of-doordarshan.html History DD had an extremely modest beginning with the experimental telecast starting in Delhi on 15 September 1959 with a small transmitter and a makeshift studio. The regular daily transmission started in 1965 as a part of All India Radio. The television service was extended to Bombay (now Mumbai) and Amritsar in 1972. Till 1975, seven Indian cities had television service and Doordarshan remained the only television channel in India. Television services were separated from radio ...

No more 'Shanti'-niketan and Tulsi

Finally, the more-than-decade-old Kyunki Saas bhi kabhi bahu thi is going off air tomorrow - permanently, I hope! The serial which caused endless rifts and fights between family members, is coming to an end. I still remember the time when Kyunki Saas bhi Kabhi Bahu thi had started on Star Plus, husbands stopped getting their daily dose of news (read: dinner), children stopped watching their cartoons, and even the older generation - their daily religious discourses! Tulsi and Mihir and the Virani family had become an extended joint family for many. It did not take long when women got the remote controls in their hands and poor husbands would have to go out for dinner as their wives would be too engrossed in the Viranis' kitchen more than their own. I admit that at times, that even I got sucked into the swirl of Kyunki... especially when vamps made their striking entries - just when two couples would get all doe-eyed and 'lovey-dovey'. Havin...

I want to create a brand for myself: Rajeev Khandelwal

All of you will remember Sujal from "Kahiin to Hoga", Captain Rajvir from "Left, Right, Left" and other small screen game shows. Priya Rajendran puts the most sought after, dashing actor Rajeev Khandelwal on the hot seat as he talks about his debut at Osian's, maiden film Aamir, his leap to the big silver screen and much more in a candid tête-à-tête... Read the full interview on The Hindustan Times You have set a standard with your first film. Post-Aamir’s success, will you be under pressure to do meaningful and good films? Have you attended the Osians Cinefan Fest earlier? Your experience(s)? This is my first time. Generally, film festivals are boring, but this has been a wonderful experience for me. I was actually surprised that people still love Aamir – one year after its release...loved the feedback and criticism that the audience gave for the film, which is my maiden venture. I have not set any standards in the movie. All credits to Raj Kumar Gup...

It was a challenge to play anti-hero in "Main Hero Boll Raha Hoon": Parth Samthaan

Popular for his portrayal of the new-age Anurag Basu in the "Kasautii" reboot, actor Parth Samthaan is all set to create waves with his new look and style in his newly launched show "Main Hero Boll Raha Hoon", currently airing on AltBalaji and Zee5. The actor interacted with media on Tuesday in a virtual press meet and as usual, won hearts with his peppy persona and quick replies. Dressed in black, the suave and charming Parth Samthaan looked poised and geared to answer questions about his show. Just as the title suggests, the show set in the 90s portrays a young man’s journey into the big bad underworld and subsequently his entry into the quintessential silver screen (a la D Company). On challenges of playing the protagonist Nawab... Soon after wrapping up the shoot for "Kasautii Zindagi Kay", I had to start the shoot for Main Hero Boll Raha Hoon. I had to switch from a Bengali chocolate boy image to a 90s era boy who wants to rule ‘ akkha ’ Mumbai. The...

I can connect to God through Sufi: Shafqat Amanat Ali

Priya Rajendran catches up with Ustad Shafqat Amanat Ali, who is currently on a musical tour in India. (https://www.hindustantimes.com/music/i-can-connect-to-god-through-sufi/story-wtIgpMthH4Qh47zOVGUZbM.html) Read my post-Fuzon concert blog on https://koffeewithamommy.blogspot.com/2008/10/driving-away-mid-week-blues.html Shafqat Amanat Ali, born in 1965, is the son of Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, making him part of the nine-generation-old Patiala Gharana. He has been a student of Hindustani classical music since age of four, his grandmother being his first teacher. His main influences in music come from his father and his uncle Ustad Fateh Ali Khan sahab as well as Roshanara Begum, to name a few. He is younger brother of late singer Asad Amanat Ali Khan. He got his Bachelors degree in 1988 from Government College University, Lahore (now known as GC University). He received the role of honour from the Music Society of Government College University, Lahore. Shafqat Amanat Ali was a...

Farhan rocks!

Director-actor-singer Farhan Akhtar, son of Javed Akhtar, should ideally have a lot of airs about his labels. Yet he unassumingly talks about his adventures, dreams and movies in a candid tête-à-tête with Priya Rajendran . His film "Luck By Chance", which is also his sister Zoya's directorial debut, was screened today at the 11th Osian's Cinefan Festival. Farhan Akhtar looked like he was ready to talk. Yet one would think he is a reserved guy who only talks through his movies, but here, he surprised people by having a decent discussion and chat about his latest ventures, music, Rock On!! and his sister Zoya. Having donned so many hats, he would come across to people like a totally confused guy - sometimes dabbling with music, his singing, music composer, director and actor. A multi-talented persona, belonging to a rich, cultural family, son of Javed Akhtar, should ideally have a lot of airs about his labels. Read my article at https://www.hindustantimes.com/ente...

'I have all the qualities of an ideal wife'

With bated breath, both Rakhi Sawant and the entire nation is waiting to see who will be her Mr Right. All the 16 potential grooms are set to woo her live on “Rakhi ka Swayamwar”. A nervous Rakhi Sawant in an exclusive tete' a' tete' with Priya Rajendran . The wait is finally over! Today, NDTV Imagine will play host to bride-to-be Rakhi Sawant and 16 potential grooms on Rakhi Ka Swayamvar , the first of its kind reality show. Known for its splendid palaces and timeless tales of love and valour, Udaipur is the host city for Rakhi’s Swayamvar. Each week, the grooms will showcase their personality, character; physical fitness and talent, all to woo Rakhi. And eventually, Rakhi will tie the knot with one lucky guy in a grand ceremony. Actor Ram Kapoor will host this unique show. A nervous Rakhi Sawant in an exclusive tete' a' tete' with Priya Rajendran. So, who should be Rakhi's ideal man? My list for Mr Ideal is a little big (smiles). I want someone ...

Deol who dares to be different (Interview)

Abhay Deol loves being what he is and is very content with his work. Nearly nine films old, he is all geared to don the hat of a producer. Abhay Deol unravels his quirky self to Priya Rajendran at the ongoing Osian's film festival. (Read the full article at: https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/deol-who-dares-to-be-different/story-07sL7EibPGELjCu4ZW0KpO.html) Abhay Deol looks his chilled self in a casual cream shirt, all set to meet the press at the Capital's 11th Osians Film Festival. His film "Dev.D" is also being simultaneously screened. He is way too different from his Deol cousins and uncle. Neither does he show off his biceps like Bobby, nor does he growl like Sunny. A unique Deol, he loves being what he is and is very content with his work. Nearly nine films old, he is all geared to don the hat of a producer as he continues being on a 'different mode'. Considering the kind of person who takes up reckless and impulsive characters...is that wh...

Post-Chak De!, Striker is a movie to watch out for: Vidya Malvade

The Chak De! India babe who headed the Indian hockey team and attained victory for it, both on-screen as well as off-screen, is back on the silver screen, with her next venture Striker, releasing this Friday. Here's an exclusive tête-à-tête with the lady. Read more: https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/post-chak-de-striker-is-a-movie-to-watch-out-for/story-eEelENCBZUEkZMyKKRarvO.html The "Chak De! India" babe who headed the Indian hockey team and attained victory for it, both on-screen as well as off-screen, is back on the silver screen, with her next venture "Striker", releasing this Friday. Vidya Malvade sums up her feelings at the moment: "Every Friday is as jittery for actors like me and this time, it's nothing different as this is after "Chak De!", I have my fingers crossed." Vidya will be sharing screen space with co-actor Siddharth Narayanan, Nicolette and Padmapriya Janakiraman in her next film "Striker". Priya R...

Chota parda aur main...

Search This Blog

About Me