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. —–
Mr Chetan ,
MY vote Goes for you .. You deserve the right to own the script .. They have made few tweaks in the movie which cant deprive you of your value..
Take care and we all are with you ..
Go ahead and ask for your rights ..
Any one who has read the book 5.someone can easily say that 3-idiots resembles chetans Book ..
Mr Bhagat,
Please accept the reality that there is a fine line of difference between making a collage of anecdotes and turning it into a book and actually writing a book – setting out a theme, going on with a flow. I do not deny that the first way, which i have mentioned does not attract a crowd of readers. Contrarily, it may be more popular, moreso in today’s times, which lacks reading habits. But then it doesn’t aleviate such sort of writing to “literary” levels.
The reason I make such point is the movie – 3i sets out a message, a theme, which is never touched upon in the book. How far can one encash upon the fact there are 3 characters in the movie and they study in an elite institution; as in the book. After all taking the skeleton out of your book, does not set the movie in flesh and blood and even more–in feelings.
It is a humble request, give a rethinking to your mud slingings and peep into the soul of the movie. That may show you the shortcomings of your successful novel.
As is the theme of the film – Chase Excellence……..!
Regards,
Swagat
hey chetan,
we ‘r with you, dont worry. no doubt 3 idiots an awesome film but anyone who has NOT read the book has NO right to comment on the issue.. even if he’s the LEAD actor of the film! good luck.. may truth & fairness prevail..
load of good wishes.
janaki.
Chetan, I’ve read all your books…..and have liked all of them.When I saw “Three Idiots” promos…I coulld easily make out it was based on your book ….haven’t seen the movie yet..It’s a case of “Safed Jhoot”…someone else claiming that it’s an original story.Please go ahead and fight for your right.You will have to fight many a battles like this….because we live in a country where integrity ,truth,honesty are fast disappearing qualities.It’s sad that we all can see that it’s an adaptation of your book …. still you have to fight for it.Munnabhai makers made enough profit from Gandhigiri….they don’t need it any more.Henceforth it seems it’s Gundagiri….as their behavior proved yesterday. Wish u all the best Chetan….
time to send “get well soon” wishes to the 3I team (AK, VVC, RKH)
What is the harm to 3i to give credit of story to Chetan, i dont understand its simple anyone can see the movie and read the novel and make out that this movie is based on novel.
The Best Story award for movie should go to Chetan.
Chetan,
i have read the book and saw the film.The film is inspired by your book, but you must accept that the screenplay is a raju-joshi creation.. Its a real shame that you are doing all this for publicity.The movie does not contain more than 10% of your book.So stop doing publicity on twitters and other blogs (half of them are wriiten by yourself), Earlier also you made a mistake by blocking someone on twitter just to make publicity.Now you are doing jus to make yourself a hero bcoz the movie is a big hit.Stop doing this or else there will be no buyer for your next book.
-Ciril
VVC has been stripped in public yesterday. His highly defensive, angry and ridiculous act has unmasked the truth which even he is well aware of and is trying to hide. Nobody who is sure of his stand and is confident of what he is saying will flare up in such an immature manner suddenly. It was a complete give away and has only reinforced Chetan’s truth. I have read the book and watched the movie as well so i think i have more authority to comment than some ’superstar’ who sadly misuses his stature for backdoor arm twisting techniques and subtle brainwashing and opinion generation. Dear Aamir, a sincere advice, if you fancy yourself as a perfectionist and idealist, the least you can do is read the book, use your own head and form your own opinion like you preach in the movie rather than parrot what your makers are saying. The movie is very much a screen adaptation of the book. the philosophy and central plot are clearly inspired by the book and the story is no way ‘original’. Original mr Khan means totally new and not just a few bits and pieces added to customize the story for screen adaptation. I hope people stop watching your movies for the way you are misusing your stature as a star to side with unethical filmmakers. The original story is Chetan Bhagat’s. Period. whether it was modified, twisted in bits and pieces, had more creative inputs by abhijat and raju is immaterial. The idea came from and was adapted from Chetan’s book and he deserves a prominent credit for that, not some mention near junior artists. That’s highly unethical if not illegal. Everything is not about being legal, its all about following an ethical and clear system of work where creative people are given due credit. Looks like people preaching gandhigiri have in their desperation resorted to goondagiri.
Mr.Bhagat,
u r a big lier. i saw ur interview yesterday on TV in which u have mentioned that u never heard the 3i script.For ur ref
go through below link
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/broadband/video/Interviews/6JYYzF82/3/Bollywood-Hungama-s-Exclusive-With-Noted-Writer-Chetan-Bhagat.html
You clearly accepted that film is totally different from the book.I do not believe u. In all this u r the only loser.Shame on u…..people like u do anything for publicity….
Hi Chetan Sir,
As i went through FPS i have had a feel of a real life and have thought about a film on this book. And when 3i came up to my eyes i could identify more than 70% of the movie being adapted from your work. The pain for you is evident.
But what ever we saw yesterday as a frivolous reaction to the issue is quit disappointing.
People like me who have admired your work since beginning till date are always with you.
Prashant
An admirer of your Words.
chethan, the above mail is an example of the quality of PHD research done! I guess he wrote same type of vague, ambiguous thesis and got a Ph.D in economics!
sir, can u make the contract terms public, so that we will be in a better position.
I’m on the side of Chetan Bhagat in the 3i controversy. Authors deserve prominent credit if their books are sources…
hello sir
i am new here
firstly i would like to tell u tht i am a huge fan of u
i have read all 4 books written by u and all of them will be listed in my favourites for sure
recently heard abt the problem with makers of 3 idiots
i am so angry with them all know tht it is based on ur book
they have to give u credit it is ur vision and ur idea
i hate such people
u have the truth by ur side as u said in todays mumbai mirror
we fans r with u and we want the makers to give u the required credit
i havent watched the film but i can tell from the promos tht it is for sure based on ur book
in end i would like to say
tht i am waiting for ur new book and hope it rocks like the before ones
These bollywood people are simply peace of shit,they can even sell their mother for publicity and fame.you are jst a toy for them.They used you mr.Chetan.
Hi
will be very honest with you. Am with you on this. Bro have not read your book . But have read your profiles on NYT and some interviews.
have seen the movie its a good one. but when i read couple of posts from my FB account. they say the movie is very similar to the book. The so called righteous guys should have known how to conduct themselves well. they cant stoop to this level.a due credit should be given to the artist ( Read the writer). otherwise even these guys are a bunch of sophisticated hypocrites. They will lose the carefully built image which was they have built all these years.
they cant fool the public..remember we are in wired world. we are not talking about a TG which are some morons who cant read and write.
hi chetan
ur book is like a shining beacon for almost all students in college.almost everybody has read it.i have read all four of ur books and must admit u r an inspiration on how to tie the reader to the boooks which are becoming more interesting.
i heard the comments of aamir khan yesterday and the unacceptable behavior of vvc.they are so shameless that despite taking the idea from the book and including so many similar scenes they have the guts to deny that in public and moreover showing indecent behavior
you were outrightly right that coming from an educational background you expect ethics which is absolutely absent in these so called big people.
i respected aamir khan but after hearing his comments he no longer deserves it.the shameless people who don’t have any balls to admit in public that they have stolen someone else’s credit for the umpteenth time.
let them shout ,for nothing but the truth will prevail.u have all the supports from ur fans.
Dear Mr. Chetan Bhagat
I have read your book FPS and also watched 3 Idiots and it is needless to say that the movie is entirely based on the book except for few characters and the climax. Anyone who has read the book will vouch for that and I felt really bad when I heard Mr. Raju Hirani, Mr. Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Mr. Aamir Khan claiming the movie to be original and only 5% of it being taken from the book. I just want to tell all three of them that they command huge respect with public because of kind of works they have done and by doing this they have lost their respect. Give credit to where it is due.
Stop this nonsense chetan.
I have read FPS n watched the movie as well. The movie is really good. Your book is more about narrating dormitory experience while the movie casts a new light on Indian education system flaws, being more creative and applying theoretical knowledge in day today life.
Your books lacks morality, inspiration, creativity …etc
I never thought u r a good writer and now I know u r not even a decent person.
DO NOT give up any point of time… these thick bastards need to get a dose – Bollywood is full of such hypocrites. Don’t trust no one – not the media not the bollywoodwallahs…. trust your readers – they will not leave your side.
I read Rajdeep Sardesai’s tweet – he is another one –
sardesairajdeep
hirani should say film was inspired by chetan’s book, chetan must accept that the screenplay is a raju-joshi creation.
sardesairajdeep
the 3 idiots and chetan bhagat need to both take a chill pill. a controversy designed for the age of mindlessness.
about 3 hours ago from web
Please do not hesitate to take judicial help…. I am sure you will find your fans there too…
good luck!
Aamir Khan fools everyone with his perfectionist attitude and come out instead defending the producer without having read the book for himself. As for Raju Hirani, he just proves that whatever is shown in the movie is just show biz. Finally the third idiot Mr. VV…well it is seen by everyone when he shouted at the media personal.
P.S- Actually they are jealous about how come an IIT/IIM graduate be so creative and be nominated for diff awards which is why they make movies.