Acclaimed author Chetan Bhagat has offered a scathing critique of the Bollywood film industry, revealing a profound disillusionment with its creative process and the pervasive culture of fame. Bhagat, whose novels have spawned blockbusters like ‘3 Idiots,’ ‘Kai Po Che,’ and ‘2 States,’ shared candid insights into his decade-long journey within the film world, ultimately expressing a lack of creative fulfillment.
Bhagat openly admitted that his initial foray into Bollywood was driven by a desire for broader popularity. He noted, in a conversation with Pinkvilla, that the average Indian audience often prefers films over books, leading him to believe that adapting his stories to the big screen would increase his public recognition. This pragmatic approach saw him step into an industry he now views with significant reservations.
His experience in filmmaking, which included working on six adaptations over 10 to 15 years, proved largely unrewarding creatively. Bhagat detailed a process that often stretched for three years per film, dominated by non-creative tasks such as negotiating with producers over tea or trying to secure actors’ dates. He found little scope for originality, feeling more like a translator of his own stories rather than a creator of new worlds.
The author, who famously left a high-paying corporate job to pursue his passion for writing, found himself longing for the magic of a blank page. He contrasted the administrative tedium of film sets, where he felt he was “running around” and “waiting for actors’ dates,” with the profound satisfaction of crafting narratives from scratch. Bhagat realized that his “people-pleasing nature” had kept him chasing films for too long, a pursuit that ultimately failed to bring him genuine contentment.
Bhagat’s observations extended beyond his personal experience to the broader industry. He revealed a newfound confidence at age 50, allowing him to speak openly about the struggles of actors and directors whose careers have waned. He noted that many such individuals face significant mental and health issues, unable to cope with the decline in their public visibility.
He painted a vivid picture of actors consumed by their celebrity, describing how some would frequent restaurants and feel a sense of disappointment or dissatisfaction if they were not recognized or approached for a photograph. Bhagat characterized this existence as a “sick life,” highlighting the intense psychological dependence on external validation within the industry.
Ultimately, Chetan Bhagat branded Bollywood a “house of fame addiction.” He views fame itself as a potent narcotic, one he has actively sought to escape by relocating to Dubai. Bhagat believes that constant awareness of one’s fame actively hinders creativity, making it impossible to produce good work. He likened the allure of Mumbai’s celebrity culture to a powerful addiction, stating that leaving the city’s grasp is as difficult as quitting smoking.