In 1962, Vladimir Nabokov had a huge issue with Lolita and in 1965, the same happened with RK Narayan and Guide. Since the inception of motion pictures, most of the adaptations of literature have created a rift between the film-makers and writers. However, Chetan Bhagat seems to be a different one from the lot (PS: We are not comparing Chetan with the likes of Nabokov and Narayan).
Chetan’s first book Five Point Someone is in the process of being adapted into one of the most eagerly awaited movies of the year titled 3 Idiots. Raj Kumar Hirani who is directing the movie has supposedly changed the plot in a big way.
How does he deal with the changes being made for the screen? “Well, you have to understand both are different mediums and they have their own limitations. Films can’t be made exactly like the book; a little bit of change here and there is required.
Moreover, with a director like Raj Kumar Hirani, I would like to give people liberty and freedom while adapting. I am happy and thankful that they have chosen my book as the subject of the film. Lastly, I am different from others,” he stresses. His second book One Night @ The Call Centre was the first from his collection to be turned into a movie. However, the book despite having a star line-up bombed at the box office, thanks to the poor adaptation. “The book I feel was nice and the film Hello was a good effort. It’s always a learning process,” he adds.
He’s just come back after participating in the London Book Fair along with other fellow Indians like Sunil Gangopadhyay, Tarun Tejpal and Vikram Seth. “It was quite an experience,” Chetan says. After his three hugely successful (we are speaking commercially) books, he is already busy writing his third book. What’s the book all about? “All I can say is that it’s a love story. I am busy penning the story and I don’t think I am in a position to discuss it,” he signs off.
