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!
People really are a bit nasty here.
But, in short, there is really no way a film producer can beat a writer for a genuine cause.
We are all here to back you up.
And of course “All is Well”
Ph.D. London School of Economics & Political Science… LOL
Chethan,
Ball was in your court when they came to you asking for rights. Placement of CREDIT must have been put on paper/agreement. After all, once u gave them rights, u wont have the right to ask more even though it’s your book thats being adapted. 3 idiots based on FPS.It’s blatant. You must have explicitly mentioned about the placement of your credit when you sold rights.
regards
kk
Hello Chetan. I think the makers of 3i have a lot to learn from the makers of slumdog…where due credit was given to Vikas Swarup. It is indeed very sad the way they are behaving, but then one cannot change that… They have shown their actual colour in the Media Interview where VVC was found lashing out at a journalist for no fault of the person… Ethics is something these makers do not have, and they would be punished for the same soon.
chetan leave it yaar…clz the issue…..they have done smething wrng to u…its ok….u r getting sme bad image…more people knw aamir khan than chetan …they think wat aamir says is right…
this is sme thing similar to wat happens in politics….in articles write u disguise that politicians shouldnt do like this like that….n u r doing the same thing …..
clz the issue….3i is a beautiful fil…njoy the film…
I totally agree with rashmi bansal and I’m just thinking was vidhu vinod chopra drunk?
Catch my take on this from here
Yes, I have read the book!
Dear Chetan ji
I am yet to see this film by the ‘name’ 3 idiots. I have read your book and it was amazing esp given the fact that I am from a premier medical institute close to IIT-D, I could relate very well to it. I rate your book – FPS as one of the best I have read. If they are stealing your storyline and not giving you the credit, shame on them. Esp when you are not asking for more money after seeing the success of the film but demanding what is ethically yours – the credit for the storyline.
I personally would boycott seeing 3 idiots till it is available freely on TV and deny them any further gains from my side. Hope your other fans do the same.
But there is a lesson for each one of us, have it all in the contract – in black and white and not just sweet-talks like “You are a King and I am a King.” I too have had my share of experiences recently at my workplace.
Ignore the lady on Times Now, I am sure she has been paid by the ‘makers of’ 3 idiots to speak so.
We are with you !!
http://twitpic.com/vjz75
Credit was given but looked kinda hidden!
I went for the movie for 2 reasons:
1. It was based on 5pt sm1
2. It was free to watch
After this episode, i wd only want to say Chetan dont give ur books to Bollywood … they dont deserve the superlatives from their fans! What creativity have they shown in taking ur story and dressing it like their own… i dont get that..
But Chetan, maybe it was the first time u interacted with these larger than life “3 Idiots” of Bollywood.. most of these Bollywood biggies are devoid of any human creativity.. its more of a money making business.. where they go on to maximise their profits even if they have to blatantly lie for that!
Be careful next time…
Ive read all ur books .. loved them…
Keep writing..
Dont let these liars affect u… maybe this shd be an inspiration for ur next ‘book’.
God bless..
Come on guys!!
Everyone in the ring is so talented that it does not actually call for this ugly fight.
1st Point: Movie is NOT 70% or 80% from book.
2nd Point: However, chetan has to be given credit, his book being the inspiration for movie.
3rd Book: Even if hirani camp says movie is NOT copied, he cant deny the fact that his script writer would not have written the script if 5 point someone was never written..
Note: I am a die hard aamir fan, still its disappointing that he is commenting without even reading the book.
Aamir Khan is a PRO specialist. For everything he does to build up to the media, he does shit stunts.
For TZP, weren’t he in the film, the film would’ve been a disaster. Two, when Ghajini came, he over showed his 8-pack in an otherwise AGED face. Three, he is not an IDIOT, but worse. Why the whole alternate reality gaming? Same principle can be said to ALL BOLLYWOOD. They confuse acting with modeling and AIDS/POLO patients looks.
As an admirer and diehard book lover of FPS and all your novels, you should take immediate action and hit back at that the team, particularly Vinod Chopra. That idiot is trying to hit back at the media after he built up that disaster EKLAVYA 2 years ago when it was in OSCAR selection, but after rejection, whole massess mocked him to the core! Take action, I say. We as fans are behind you infinity along the way.
Sir, the book is heavily shown in the movie. Adaptation or remake or copy, Credit needs to be given. When Slumdog won best screenplay (Simon Beaufoy), he stated in the Oscars that the script wouldn’t have been possible without VIKAS SWARUP (author of the novel Q&A, Slumdog’s basis.) If you saw Slumdog’s end credits, Swarup’s name was credited, despite the film, being heavily changed.
Like that, go ahead and hit them hard with a case!
I watched the movie and read the book as well. Any person who has little bit of common sense and bit of english knowledge can find many many similarities between book and the film. I dont know y it is claimed tat only 2 to 5 pc is inspired. . .
It is sad to say tat i lost the respect i had for Amir. .
Completely agree with you … Amir has no biz commenting when he hasn’t read the book … am a big fan of Amir’s work … but this is not right .. shame on him .. Only advise for him – READ THE BOOK!!! 3 idiots is an amazing movie .. but this stance by the movie makers is leaving a very bad taste … like u said Chetan .. Truth is on your side .. u will defiantly emerge stronger..
Dear Chetan
I have been a regular reader of your books and FPS was one of the best ones from you. I believe 3 idiots was 30-40% copy of your book and it really strikes me hard that YOU would go out and make chaos of that it was actually a copy of your book like 80%.
I just read the contract, and I believe you did get the credit that was due to you as per the agreement. They mentioned that it was an adaptation of your book in the rolling credit. Thats what rolling credit is and even a school student would know that.
You must realize that you have been paid so that your book would be adapted as per their requirement (as per agreement). No one can make a movie out of a book… the script has to be written. That is why a book is just adapted to make a movie. The process of writing a movie script is very different than writing a book.
Hope you wake up to realisation and understand your mistake.
Hope you have a good year ahead.
@ Vinayak – Why should you forget to acknowledge the author of the book? The problem is the unethical behavior of the producers.
Dear Chetan,
Bravo for you !! Go fight it out !!! we all are with you.
A heartfelt book & a wonderful movie, but credit is all yours . You deserve much better respect.
Aamir , India is a big fan of you, but please first READ the book , before commenting on anything.
Chetan, don’t give up !! Fight it , as they need to give the credit where it belongs!
Love
Venu
http://www.vinodchopra.com/agreement.pdf
This agreement explains it all!
Dear CB,
First of all “Happy New Year” and may this year bring much more happiness to you and all your loved ones.
Reg the 3I and FPS controversy I just want you to refer this quote from Gita:
“Fear Not. What is not real, never was and never will be. What is real, always was and cannot be destroyed.” Any person who has read FPS and has seen 3I easily understands that the story and the spirit of the film is FPS. Any argument on it is foolishness. We, the readers and fans of you are not interested in the monetary aspects of the film and book but are definitely concerned that the credit of the story is not given to your FPS.
I feel, the scriptwriter of the film is the “Makeup Man” for your script. A makeup man cannot claim to be creater of the person itself. You are the creater of the characters in 3I and the script writer is just a makeup man who did an extraordinary makeup. Need to appreciate the makeup…but they need to understand..story and film is not just about makeup.
Btw, I still wonder what were you doing all these days and why did you wake up suddenly after the success of the film.
Looking forward for your nice works to come in the future. All the best.
Affectionately,
Prasanna Rayaprolu
I had great respects for Mr.Amir Khan. I cannot believe that a person of stature can go and speak like the way he did, without reading the book. And then he dares to ask the reporter, if he has read the book. He himself said yesterday on the press conf that people who have read the book and seen the only has the right to comment. If thats the case, i believe that he should have stayed mum bcos he claims that he hasnt read the book.
Chetan sir, we all stand by you in this. Anybody who has seen the movie and read the book would need no explanations. There has been modifications and they deserve the credit for that. But not at the cost of someone who created the original threads of the story.And if it were just the threads , i could have understood, they have retained 50% of the book as such and still have the guts to call up a press conference! Amazing!
Hi Chetan… It is a shame that such things are happening to a renowned writer of India. One can only imagine the plight of struggling writers… Here’s what I feel: http://reviewism.blogspot.com/2010/01/5-points-about-3-idiots-lots-in-name.html