Dear All,
Thanks a lot for your immense support. I am humbled how you all have stood behind me, despite the so called powerful people on the other side. Yesterday, you saw their behavior. You can make your own conclusions. I would like people who have not read the book to not comment on the issue, and I have been requesting that from the start.
And while I feel no reason to respond to baseless statements, I would like to point out two things about me allegedly looking for publicity. One, I did contact them first through sms, even after the premiere. They did not respond. I sent two mails, along with a fan mail attached, on Dec 29, two full days before I did my blog entry (and I did the blog only after they started accusing me). My first mail was to the director, and he never responded. The second mail was to the director as well as cced to VVC’s brother, who also works in the production house and was supposed to ‘handle my case’. The director never responded. VVC’s brother did, and the reply was so vague, I have to paste it here to you to make your own conclusions. Secondly on publicity, I have written four books and over fifty columns. Authors can easily add a few controversial lines to their books and cause a stir to increase sales. You’d agree I’ve never had an issue like this with any of my books, or even a line of any of my columns, where I take extra effort to stick to the facts. In fact, people accusing me of that should introspect on if they haven’t read the book and are supporting the makers, how does it make them any different from a brand ambassador who is asked to peddle junk food.
I also want to address the so called contract and spell out the issue, which they are either unable to articulate or are hiding. Yes, there is a contract, which you ethically abused. But how can you give ANOTHER credit for story, not including me, without my consent, right upfront and hide mine totally? Isn’t that negating my already buried credit? Who will people see. Who will go and collect the story (not screenplay, which is separate) awards? The screenplay is not an issue here. The people who have done that have adapted my story – not written a new one. Maybe they can be co-credited for story, but how can they exclude me? Add to that them constantly calling their story original, discrediting me in the media for over an year – does that not show an actual pattern of shutting me out? That is the issue.
People have known the issue. They have been busted. They quivered, shook, cursed and fell yesterday. Making mistakes is human. Not accepting it is a sense of entitlement that only comes from an unchecked ego. However, people have given their verdict.
The mails are attached below. The fanmail comes first (copied and pasted from gmail).
God Bless,
Me
FIRST MAIL:
hide details 12/28/09 (4 days ago) |
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Hello Chetan Sir,
Today I saw 3 Idiot’s. Somewhere I read that it is only 10% of “five point someone” but I think it was 80% of that. It was amazing experience and I would like to give you all credit for that great entertainment along with Amir khan.
Thanks ,
Sachin
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hide details 12/29/09 (4 days ago) |
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i have 100+ mails like this.
cheers!
chetan
—- THE ABOVE NEVER WAS RESPONDED TO —
SECOND MAIL:|
hide details 12/26/09 (6 days ago) |
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Dear Mr Chetan
Yesterday I saw a recent movie of Amirkhan, 3 idiots.
It is almost same as your 1st book 5.1 . Is it true.
But I have not seen your name or noticed .
Can you confirm this. ?
K G Sreeganeshan
hide details 12/29/09 (4 days ago) |
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my mailbox is filled..i have no idea who these people are.
god bless.
chetan|
show details |
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12/29/09 (3 days ago) |
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Noted. Thank you, Chetan.
Fans will be fans and all our mailboxes at this time are full of nothing but superlatives. Let us not only celebrate all aspects of creativity that went into the film but also learn from both our positives and negatives.
It was indeed good to meet you.
Best regards,
Vir K Chopra
(Ph.D. London School of Economics & Political Science)
Director
Vinod Chopra Films Pvt. Ltd.
—– AND THAT’S IT. ATTEMPTS TO REACH ON PHONE FAILED TOO. —–
Hi Chetan,
It was really sad to see someone else taking your credit. 3 Idiots is not original at all.
Hi Chetan,
This is how Bollywood works. Everyone knows that the film is based on your book but they just want to make the story theirs.
Moreover, they say that you raise this issue to sell more copies of the ‘Best Selling Novel’
I’m ashamed that Aamir(whom I had lost of respect and regard earlier) has opposed this cheaply just for protecting the producers(so that he can do more films). Its awful.
This is just one example of what is happening in our country, not just in films but in various other fields starting from Education to Sports, this has been the trend in our country.
I just went through this:
http://www.thefourthidiot.com/cb/
and felt embarrassed by what people do just for publicity
Please don’t raise this issue further. We all know that the film was adapted from your book and by piling up 25 scenes does not mean that the film is original.
Its like ‘fighting for Justice in Hell’.
The media and the producers are just trying to ruin your image.
I advice you to concentrate on your upcoming books rather than wasting your time on senseless issues.
I know you and your family would have felt better if they had seen your name in bigger fonts but still…..
Regards
Sriram
Hi Chetan,
I think it should not be too worried about whether you should get credit for the original story of the movie ‘3 idiots’.
I think they took 30% or more of your story and edited it and made a very crappy movie far from educational and realistic.Though your book may have been that popular as the movie ,but i can assure you the book is hell lot better than the movie.
I am from a very ordinary college but even in our college a ‘MACHINE’ is not defined with such a complicated language as done by Chatur in the movie.
I think you should be continuing writing more books with good moral and educational value so that it benefits our country and our childrens.
Best of Luck.
until nw i hadnt missed evn a single aamir film…..and frm nw i wil nvr watch an aamir’s film!!hw can they shamelessly steal ur story and claim 2 b der own?!they r truly busted..datz the reason they were acting lke dat in front of media yesterday..the only reason y VVC got angry is he thout since aamir is on his side nobody wud raise an issue..i am so glad they got busted!they r such losers…anywayz chetan FPS has sold more than a million copy and i can assure u dat all those million ppl who have read ur buk r wid u buddy..take care!
DEAR CHETAN SIR,
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT THAT THE STORY OF 3 IDIOTS IS BASED ON YOUR FAMOUS BOOK FIVE POINTS SOMEONE.
I THINK 70% OF THE FILM IS COPIED FROM YOUR BOOK.
SIR YOU ARE NOT ALONE NOW.WE ALL ARE WITH YOU.
THE WHOLE WORLD HAS UNDERSTOOD THAT RAJU HIRANI,AAMIR KHAN & VIDHU VINOD CHOPRA ARE THE REAL 3 IDIOTS.
THE WAY IN WHICH VIDHU VINOD CHOPRA ANSWERED THE PRESS CONFERENCE IT REALLY SHOWED THAT THEY HAVE DIG THEIR OWN CRAVES AND ARE CAUGHT IN THEIR OWN TRAP.
SHAME ON AAMIR,RAJU & VIDHU VINOD CHOPRA.
SIR,BEST OF LUCK FOR YOUR FUTURE AND WE ARE ALWAYS WITH YOU.
WE ALL WILL FIGHT FOR YOU AND WE WILL TRY TO GIVE JUSTICE TO OUR BOOK.
Chetan,
I would like to give a piece of sincere advice to u……..Plz do a bit of self introspection and then comment on something. I have read your FPS and seen 3 idiots as well….and I can draw the conclusion that ‘The movie is not FPS but its adaptation’. In other words, the concept of FPS has been borrowed by the team of 3 idiots……3-4 incidents have been lifted as they are….but, I completely disagree with ur statement that 3 idiots is 70-80% of FPS. Chetan, in FPS, Ryan used to secure the least marks……..but in 3 idiots, Rancho was a consistent topper.
Had the film been completely based on FPS,believe me, it would have been a DISASTER!!!!! REMEMBER, the movie ‘Hello’ was completely based on your ‘One Night At the Call Center’…..with u being atively involved in screenplay……WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME? A SUPER FLOP!!!!!! At least 3 idiots did not show non-sense things like ‘Rancho engaging in pre-marital sex with Pia’……..
And, as reader stated short while ago, when rights of the story were bought from you, what right do you have to comment on the issue?
I am thankful to u for not abusing Aamir Khan in this fuss…..As u had stated in the blog ‘This has nothing to do with Aamir’……..For your kind information, AAMIR KHAN HAS AGREED TO RELEASE A BOOK OF AN UPCOMING WRITER FREE OF CHARGE!….’Had he been crazy or after this dirty politics, he would have ended up working in tons of movies till now…MOREOVER, HAD 3 IDIOTS BEEN COMPLETELY BASED ON FPS, HE WOULDN’T HAVE EVEN AGREED TO WORK IN IT……AS A BLATANT TRUTH IS THAT FPS DOES NOT CONVEY ANY MESSAGE……..IN UR BOOK, HARI AND NEHA DO NOT UNITE……..THAT LOVE STORY HAS BEEN LEFT HALF WAY BY YOU….IN SPITE OF MAKING NEHA LOSE HER VIRGINITY!!!!!!!!WHEREAS 3 IDIOTS REUNITES EVERYONE……that too, on a positive note…….and with 3 morals:
1) Go out of the way in helping needy and talented people
2) To even go to the extent of dying for the sake of friendship
3) Pursue your interests, success will follow…..
So, you, instead of making this a national issue, plz concentrate on your fifth book………
GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING…….
Hi Chetan,
I am a big fan of your writing.You have already proven urself to the world and we know ur worth and we have felt you as a writer. If these film makers had to give u credit then it would have been in form of very first appearing scene in the movie saying “THANKS CHETAN BHAGAT FOR GIVING THIS GREAT IDEA”.They will not do it now and solely we people know your contribution in this movie. But i personally feel that this fight should not go long because you are on a very higher level and it makes no sense to fight with them over this issue though i really appreciate the way you started to talk about it and this is what differs you from them. Anyways if you feel it as really unfair and worth to fight then we are all with you..
Loads of loveeeeee
Pallavi
hi Chetan,
One simple request :
Please do not leave this issue as somebody suggested “let it go”….
Apart from the gift & talent you have wrt writing; you have something that is probably not available to many others who have faced this…”fan following” & “money” to fight this out. So please do not let these ‘plagiarists’ go off the hook.
I have read all your books (FPS, Hello, 3 Mistakes) quite some time back & this came to my mind….Isn’t the name & the “khakhra, thepla” instance taken from the book “3 mistakes of my life”…even IIM as a back stage has been probably picked up from that..
Best Wishes,
Neil Shah
You take the money, and then set the terms…not fair! You are a good writer, AK the greatest actor in india, Raju & VVC have done good work…sad you all are fighting silly, forget it man…collaborate, and you guys together can produce more creative stuff for us.
Chetan,
You are a product of India’s premier institutes which the so called powerful lobby dont even come close to. You are far superior in terms of intelligence and integrity. We all know this. It will be preposturous to compare yourself to the filmi guys who neither have that class nor intelligence that you possess. So just let them make their filmi money which they are after. We all know the truth. Atleast all the urban youth has read FPS and they all know the truth so don’t get upset. They do not deserve your wrath neither your respect. Only thing is next time be careful what to commit to these shrewed and cunning filmi folks. Specially now that you will have many books been made into films. I can see 2 states next in line…..all the best, you are a genius…
your biggest fan
Chetan,
I have seen the film twice and have read your book once complete and chapters/abstracts from it over a hundred times. Believe me, your book is a cult. Whether they give a due written credit for the storyline or not for me and for thousands of other readers that would barely matter. I know so many people who say that FPS is the first and only book they have read in their lifetime. That’s why to me FPS is a cult not just a book. The movie 3 idiots is great entertaining movie.. may be with the current trend it would be the most successful hindi movie of all times.. but it might never reach the cult classic status that your book has. 10 years from now there would be many movies of the stature of 3 idiots but there would not be a second FPS.
Hence I see little point in asking for something that you have already achieved in plenty -”Recognition”. What FPS has achieved 3 idiots might never be able to achieve.
So keep going and All the best !
Tushar.
Today saw VVC saying sorry to press, but he also added that he has given you some Bonus amount before the release of the film,is that true ?
Also did you have any contract with VVC ?
I guess they have just used FPS and you
Ye sab publicity ka maamla hai logon…u myt hav heard d saying no publicity is bad publicity…Now those who watched d movie will buy d book n dos who havn’t still seen d movie but read d book will watch d movie..so both parties gain from dis…
hello MR.chetan…yesterday vinod chopra was asking ppl who have nt read da book 2 shut up..i hve read ur book like 3 times and also seen da movie twice..so felt da need 2 reply..da mve is indeed based entirely on ur book..mr. rajkumar hirani pointed out how a couple of scenes were in ur book and how they have been done in the mve..nd hw dey ver different..i think the makers of da mve don understand da meanin of da word ‘based’..all dey hve done is made slight modifications in da scene…nd den dey hve da audacity 2 call it “original”..
i till now had gr8 respect amir and thought dat he hd his mind in da right place…bt callin u publicity hungry shows dat even he is equally hipocratic…doesn’t he know dat u do not need any publicity.and dat ur books anyways do well in da market..da matter could have very well been settled by givin u da neccessary credits ad by tenderin an apology
anyways..be rest assured dat you will always hve our support
GOd bless
hey,
Im really really a big fan of ur writin…
read 5pt sm1 6 times
its very unfortunate wat z happenin
v all r wid u.
carry on the issue..
love
prabha
This man VVC is a big bully. All he does is picks up fights in his insecurity to achieve success. The movies he’s directed have all been box office turkeys and all he’s done is piggy backed on raju hirani’s talent and lived off it for a few years now. He’s idiotic, illogical, uses force and has pciked up stupid fights to pander his ego on the past with Author Suketu Mehta, director Sajid Khan and more recently Prakash Jha. The moron has no sense of film making and direction and is simply an ari headed producer who fancies himself as some filmaking genius. Please give credit where its due VVC. iTS HIGH TIME YOU STOP YOUR ARM TWISTING TECHNIQUES AND RESPECT JOURNALISTS AND AUTHORS CAUSE YOU’LL BE RUNNING TO THEM THE MOMENT YOUR NEXT FLICK IS UP FOR RELEASE. Apalling indeed!
It is simple raju n vidhu vinod have played a game….with both Chetan n Aamir……,
It is like chetan made a dish , they made it more spicy n served with their name tagged…
movie is completely based on FPS…
Okay, 1st of all.. Happy New year to all.
2ndly, what are the final wordings? Is the movie based on 5.1 novel or no?? Nobody is talking about that.
I havnt seen the movie 3 Idiots coz Aamir’s movie never appeal me and i always get a sense of over acting and proud/egoistic actor whenever i see his movie.. and to be honest at the end i dont really find such a big deal in his movies as hyped by the media or other common viewers. May be its just me or i see with a different point of view.
About Chetan’s book? well am not a Novel enthusiast either.. for me books are never my friend.. but yes i do like to get the over all summary of some interesting books. I do read books on controversial topics like “Space, Ancient Gods, Truth about Gods, Aliens and UFOs, etc etc” (might give you a laugh on my interest, well but thats me). Anyways coming back to the point.. i just googled about 5.1 and went straight away to the Wikipedia Link of that Book. I read the synopsis and guess what? Bingo! The synopsis gives out “EXACT” concept of 3-Idiots. Yes i havnt seen the movie but i’ve seen the trailors of that movie and the trailer of that movie gives out exact copy paste kinda version of the Synopsis of 5.1 book.
It was sad to see Raju Hirani and other 2 idiots from his 3-Idiots team giving press conference y’day and there was a point where Raju stood up for comparing the movie plot / scenes with the book just to prove that the movie isnt based on the book. He spoke about a couple of scenes from the movie and said “Show us the exact page no. from bhagat’s book that says the exact thing ttha we’ve shown in our movie”.. well i mean come on.. thats such a sad way protect some false. OBVIOUSLY, nobody is gonna copy paste a movie from the book! OBVIOUSLY, a person will get the book, read it, get the plot fit in his mind and then “Manipulate” it according to his own ideas in his head and make it into a 2-3hours movie. That’s called a movie Inspired from that particular book or based on the plot of that particular book!
Our Indian film industry and tv industry is very very well known for copying a foreign movie or someone else’s work and give their own banner..
Its like you take a foreign music.. an Indian music person (Anu Malik or Preetam or some other person) hears it.. keeps the same frigging music and same frigging tone but just fits in Indian hindi lyrics of his own (not necessarily conversion of that foreign language lyrics into hindi).. and then they say its their music..
The same way mentioned above is about this movie.. they read the movie.. liked it.. “MANUPULATED IT” and fit their own scripts and story and made the movie!
Now if thats the case.. SUCK it up and accept the truth!
Now being biased on both the sides.. could be my own theory here..
- Either they are just not accepting the truth coz if they do they’ll have to pay Chetan Bhagat in the name of copy right or Royalty/Loyalty (whatever you call it).
- Or it could be a set up cheta bhagat to promote his book 5.1 by seeing the success of 3-Idiots, which could be more than 5.1 book in 2004. So could be a publicity to sell your books now again in the name of “Ppl go and buy the book and read it to compare yourself and then support the truth” ..if that is the case, then Chetan you should make your book free online on your site so that ppl can read your book (if you really wana talk about truth here and no business or money thingy).
- Also both the cases dont make sense coz the plot of the movie and the book both are kinda old and we’ve seen such stories in hollywood movies or TV series already where there are 3 Geeky friends but more of a comedy based story..
To be honest.. if movie is good and true they are gonna make money and if they agree to give Chetan the whole credit then Chetan gets more money or such for his credits or copyright.. for a common person its a PURE WASTE OF TIME and so is the WASTE OF MEDIA. Our Mahan Bharat / Hindustan have much more serious issues or more of a “REAL PROBLEM” then this stupid movie / media crap.. you see nobody really gives a damn for whatever the truth is in this scenario.
So all the people and the media.. just move on.. put lights and deal with “REAL NATIONAL ISSUES and PROBLEMS” then wasting everybody’s time and energy on such non-worthy issues.
Hi Chetan,
I understand your frustration & am totally on your side. I am sure most fans would know who the real author of the movie is by now, thanks to your blog & the media. Why not let it go now. If you carry it on for too long, it will just become a joke.
They think that they are creative but they should understand that modifying someone’s work can’t be termed as original.But you should not have signed the agreement.Be careful next time.
I can understand the pain which you should be going through.