I just finished my last two interviews with IBN7 and Headlines Today. These were the last interviews I’d give on this issue. There is no point going back and forth with allegations and assertions, and it only creates drama and no solution. Hence, I’d stick to simple facts, and I’ve even offered a compromise, that they may want to consider.
1. When you are saying ‘based on a novel by’ in a movie, you cannot have a separate original Story credit in the film – not to mention the latter upfront and the former at the end. 3 Idiots has a big front Story credit for Mr Hirani and Mr Joshi. This is just not possible as they are themselves saying the story is based on a novel. The Screenplay, definitely so, belongs to Mr Hirani and Mr. Joshi.
2. While they did fulfill the ‘based on the novel by’ credit as per contract, by claiming the story as original and claiming it as theirs alone, they have definitely negated and denied my due credit. Especially since the film has many commonalties with the book. They’ve adapted my story, not created a new one. That they’d claim the original story to someone else was never told to me, is not mentioned in the contract and is frankly just not possible under the basic ‘moral rights of the author’ under copyright law.
3. To the extent they have done this, all I merely ask is put my name as one of the writers in the ‘Story’ credit. They can keep their names above me, and make me the third writer of the story. The screenplay is theirs anyway.
4. They don’t have to actually change the prints running in the theatres or incur any costs there. They can change it in the official records and in the DVD/Satellite as possible.
5. This is merely a humble request. The public opinion is already there that the story resembles the book. We don’t have to get into percentages, but if there is a contribution, it should be recognized.
If they do this, me and all FPS readers will be happy. If they don’t, it is their choice.
I don’t really want to talk about anything else in this matter. I thank you all for your support. I’ve gained a lot of credibility and love, all of us stood up for what we believed in, and I think my country knows who wrote this film’s story now anyway.
I am aware of the many opinions and statements the makers and Mr Khan have made about me and the kind of person I am, but I don’t have any issues with that. I also thank the media, for bringing the issue out clearly, and helping me present my side in a fair manner.
Love,
Me
Hi Chetan
I would just say that they may get this story now for today they might be in profit but what they can’t take from you is the knack of writing this stuff. As they say we’ll follow the excellence and success will follow. I know and the intellectual india which is in majority now knows the truth. So I agree that let the karma play on their fate. I wish u cud get the same credit as Vikas Swarup got for Slumdog millionaire.
Any ways move on and let’s create some more stories.
Thanks
Dibyendu
http://dibyenduwrites.blogspot.com
Twitter: @dibyendu
Dear Chetan ,
Request you to please leave the matter here , entire team of 3 idiots has behaved shamelessly , keep on with your good work .
Regards
chetan_bhagat Liar Liar Burn in fire! you have contract with director on rolling credits just shut up #3idiots #FPS
Just keep up your good work.
i beleive what Chetan is aying and his humble request
The stroy credit should be given to him too…
I would like to say one thing to CHETAN, than you should have not SOLD your story or book to the producers, should have given then the rights to use the story…
Good luck to you Chetan in 2010
Thanx
Dennis Massey
Jaipur
Hi Chetan,
You don’t have to waste your time on this. I believe they should come out of their ego and make the changes as suggested by you.
I admire your humbleness. Everyone knows how the production team reacted to the issue.
Happy new year. Make up for the time loss
Just saw Vishal Bharadwaj’s Omkara.. The movie starts as A Vishal Bharadwaj’s adaption of Shakespeare’s Othello’… though Omkara is hardly similar to Othello. characters, plot but yea it is heavily inspired by Othello. On the other hand 3I and FPS are very similar in terms of characters, dialouges, scenes and still Raju and team are taking away the credit. Pathetic on their part. True that the screen pla is their but it is completely an adaption of FPS.
3I shud start by saying..’Raju’s adaption of Chetan Bhagat’s Five point Someone’.
Go ahead Chetan. The whole country is with you !!!!
I never expected that aamir who people called thorough professional came down to such a low level. Not about the criticism he made. But the way in which he made. he is saying he did not read the book. and what right does he have in any way to comment on what ever you are claiming??
I think since aamir is great in marketing strategies(as media says), i guess this is also a media stunt and public gimmick and marketing method.
Love you chetan.
Thanks
Pavan Venkata
Well said Mr. Bhagat. Sometimes, it is all abput compromise. I wish Mr. Chopra and Mr. Hirani get that.
Hope u got all the publicity u wanted.Now next time plz read the fine print of ur contracts and spare us d trauma of these media games.
PS:Btw plz don’t attribute everything u say/write/think to “the welfare of India”/”progress for everyone”.
Thanx
Amrita
My humble request, Dont let them go so easily.Choro ko sabak sikhao yaar warna enee ye adat ban jayegree.
Chetan!
A good learning for you for your Next Adaptions!!!
Nothing is lost, the respect for you has grown up and surely you deserve that.
Love,
Yogesh D.
Dear Chetan,
Liked the cool way in which you were answering to questions on Headlines Today. Liked your mature way of handling issues. You have proved yourself to be a thorough gentleman. Keep it up..!! God has given you the ability to write a 100 more fabulous stories. Those guys will steal, which comes naturally to them, as they don’t have the abilities that you have.
SUE THEM!!!!!
Hey,we all know who’s story it is.i bet more thank half of the people read the book before watchin the movie..im sure you’ll be given the due credit.
All the best
No
Chetan don’t mellow down.
They should give you a public apology.
You have been very gentlemanly in your interviews, they ( VVC, Hirani and Abhijat ) need to apologise for their big mouths.
We can spare Amir as “he is like a baby. not knowing what to do making noise”– (copied from Aavatar, see i am genrous enough to acknowledge the source, hope that VVC takes note of that).
But Chetan, dont give up.
Mohit
In future never tell that these all wr part of the publicity drive 4 3 IDIOTS
Just saw the movie, and your interview on Headlines Today. I think the issue of Hirani/Joshi passing off the story as their own, while hiding behind technicalities of a contract was quite clear. In fact, now we know we will have to re-look at Munnabhai (and any future Hirani/Vinod Chopra movie) to find out if there is a subtle one liner at the end giving credit to someone else….. All the best to you.
All the best Chetan…You have proved your worth by acting in a sensible way and not like the Hirani’s.
Keep writing…you have the public support!
Chetan
Hopefully you and 3 idiots team resolve this issue ASAP and make ☮peace☮
good luck