Dear All,
Once again, thank you so much for your support. Yesterday, I was on CNN-IBN’s Face the Nation, on a general panel discussion on the Education System. However, I used the opportunity to give a few closing remarks from my side on the issue. While we maintain our stance on the issue, me and my fans want to move on, and we have.
The remarks are in the link here. The video is in five parts. My comments are in the 3rd part, so click the link under the screen that says 3. I speak after around a minute.
Thank you very much. I am looking forward to using this blog for other positive topics.
Regards,
Chetan
PS: This is only for the extra-curious types. While totally not obligated to answer any more allegations, just to clarify on the RH video – no I wasn’t given the script. A top level oral narration is something else and anybody in the film industry will tell you is very different from actually giving the written script. Notice they keep saying he has ‘heard’ the script, not ‘read’ it. In the oral narration, they told me the changes only. Please also note NDA he flashes which has a date of Oct 3, 2007, the so-called narration date. The adaptation deal was done in September 2005. Raju said it took Abhijat ‘3 yrs and 2 months’ to do the script in other interviews. Hence, even if Abhijat started on the deal date, the script was finished in November 2008. So, how could RH narrate it to me in Oct 2007? Go figure. Also, please listen to my full Bollywood Hungama interview they are quoting from, I maintain that my story is the base. Anyway, what matters is the final film vs book. Also, they did not buy rights of the book – they bought the rights to adapt the book – a basic error they continue to make – whether out of lack of knowledge or to evade the issue. And yes there is a contract to adapt the work – but it doesn’t mean they can claim authorship of the story. You can buy a painting, not claim you painted it – basic copyright law. My points are valid, and I am not a liar. Anyway, like I said, we’ve moved on.
Chetan
That’s the right spirit to move on and continue the positive work. The fans and readers are with you and facts will remain facts…
take care..wish to see a positive column from you soon..
Cheers
Phani
Hi Chetan,
Good Morning…. I as a fan would suggest you to stay out of these allegations and criticisms. The best way to annoy your critics is through your silence. The entire world knows that you are the creator of that story. Coming to bollywood, it is nothing new they are doing. They create these cheap contraversies just to market their movies.
Pl stay out of these allegations and you dont have to explain yourself to some idiots. We as fans will always understand you and support you.
Cheers.. Have a grt day ahead
Hey Chetan,
This one is a very matured step that you have taken.
There is no point in keeping yourself in an anger mode for a long time.This will in turn only make a negative impact on your mind and writing…
Keep up the high spirits…
We all love you a lot and will keep supporting you…
Good of you to move on. No point in trying to convince the unconvincables:) Whats cooking next?
rgds
Ram
Keep it up,let the spirits be high !
hi chetan,
good morning..saw u on CNN- IBN yesterday evening..i m happy u called for a truce…jus move on chetan dont fall prey to such idiotic controversies.
i liked your two states a lot..waiting for your next one..
best regards for ur near future..
thank u
Chetan,
Thats perfect spirit, You should move on…these people won’t understand the feeling of an artist..Please let it go…I want you to live happy moments and share those in the form of stories..I admire you and want to tell that you are an idol for IITians and engineers..Do what your heart says..These people are not idol for anyone..
Thanks and Cheers
Logeek
Hi Chetan,
Whatever you are doing ie right and we all stand by you.
I love Aamir a lot as an actor but not as a person. Its better to move on. The 3i teams are never going to accept their mistake. All they need to do is just accept that they did a mistake, but they are silly!!
You need not worry, your fans are with you. I have read every single word of all your 4 books and I understand the pain you are going through but the show must go on. CB rocks!!
Rise n Shine!
Your apologies don’t mean that you are wrong. Congratulations on setting a great example. Keep up the good work
completely with you on this issue
Have a look at the cartoon on the subject…
http://caricaturehome.blogspot.com/2010/01/3-idiots-and-five-point-someone.html
I guess, that’s all an author can do at this stage. Copyright in India, just means right to copy and Bollywood is v proficient in doing it. Compare this to JK Rowling’s Harry Potter, where she was paid a huuuuuuuuge amount for ‘adaptation’ rights. India still has a long way to go, but this controversy,if anything, has one positive side. It will at least bring the rights of the author to public-discussion. Things can only be better from here.
3i is largely ‘inspired’ (Bollywood’s definition) from 5PS and this can be vouched by anyone who has read the book and watched the movie. Your fans and Amir’s fans, both will remain contended with this.
(Though, in the movie, they have even made a fun of you – “Pehle Engineering kii, phir MBA, phir Bank mein naukri”.)
Just waiting for your next book. Will it start with numeral 4 this time? and may be it can poke a fun on this whole incident?
Many of my friends have started reading novels, only because of 5PS. My wife has read only 4 novels in her life until now – 5PS, 1 Night…, 3 Mistakes.. and 2 states. Help her in in getting interested in her next read.
-Your another die-hard fan,
Ankush
Well done buddy ! it was not worth it anyways.
I loved your book , more than the movie and i bet you will find many people saying the same.
Good luck and get us few more books.
Cheers!
3 cheers…for you.Well people who dont want to understand they wil never so leave them and move on.Keep up ur good wrk
I have written few of my comments over the same issue containing the similarities comparison as well. Take a look
http://nitishkumar.wordpress.com/2010/01/05/chetan-bhagat-vs-amir-vvc-and-hirani-fps-vs-3-idiots/
Excerpts: —
Although Amir Khan and Chetan Bhagat both stopped themselves on writing/ speaking anymore over the controversy, but this controversy still shows the true face of Indian Cinema and reflects that why we are still struggles to get a mere Oscar for any category in years. There are numerous examples of lifted stories from all over the world, which made into top box office hits (likes of Ghajini, Murder etc) and sure one should not get surprised, if VVC shouts over Journalist on calling movie 70% based on Five point someone, after all they paid 11 lacs to Chetan for the story at least as Indian Directors really think in this way.
No doubt you are right and story belongs to you. But what are we up to? You behaved way below your dignity. They were absolutely wrong and you also were party to that gross wrong.
Chetan,
well done..Gr8 Chetan..It touched the subject of copyright.Pls no more talk on TPS / 5.S1..
Hey i have question from 5.S1..When Hari goes to get copy-keys he was wearing Cherian’s T-shirt..Cherian on bicycle spoted & talked to Hari ..How could Cherian not recognise his T-shirt which Hari was wearing?? Cherian should have asked Hari ” Where did you got my T-shirt on?” May be neha had extra kept in car..but why did hari need to change his t-shirt on the way ? haha
You deserve a credit for this but I guess all has been said and done about this issues. It is disappointing for your fans. I wish Aamir Khan would read your novel and realize his mistake in coming days.
Keep up the good work.
you have set a grt example. i m a grt fan of yours and i like to thank you since it is bcoz of u i have developed the habit of reading. i hav read all the 4 novels of yours till now & m waiting for your nxt novel….
Hi Chetan,
I appreciate your decision very much. Although credit on the movie has been theirs, but in our hearts we know it still yours. But one fact is I have been motivated by your books rather than the movies Hello and 3 Idiots. Motivating 1000’s of people is much more better than entertaining people.