Hello everyone,
Sorry for this delayed post. As you know, I am on twitter more often now (Chetan_bhagat). However, sometimes 140 characters are not enough to talk about all I want to say. It is November, and 3 weeks since 2 States came out. I thought I’ll share a couple of things that are occupying my mind these days.
1. 2 States response – I am overwhelmed by the response to 2 States. The quantity and quality of responses is at a higher level than any of the previous books. We’ve started displaying some of the fanmails on the homepage of this site (unless the reader chooses the privacy option). And you can see the feedback coming in. The book has touched a chord and connected across the country. To deliver to the expectations after three already successful books is, for me, the biggest achievement. This time the story was simple, in fact the title gives it away. It all came down to execution, and I’m fortunate God was on my side this time. It is still early days, but I can tell this story will travel far and wide and give me a whole new set of readers. The little red book is literally, everywhere.
2. 3 Idiots – I am sure you are as excited as me upon seeing the 3 Idiots promo (see post below). With a stunning star cast and an excellent director, we have all been waiting for it a long time. Just to be clear, 3 Idiots is based on Five Point Someone (and that is the official credit) but the plot is different. There are commonalities, some of which are seen in the promo – the engineering college, the three boys, the triple riding, the Prof on a bicycle and his beautiful daughter (!). The core conflict and the underlying messages about the education system are also similar. However, the film’s plot is quite different and does not follow the novel. That is a decision the filmmakers independently took well after taking the rights of the book. I personally felt the underlying message needs to reach people more than the exact rendition of the book, and hence I was fine with it. The book has been widely read in any case, the original source is there for all to see. I, from my side, am happy that my first story and its big idea inspired the biggest filmmakers in the country. However, it is their film and all accolades should go to them. I hope my explanation sets the expectations right among viewers so they can enjoy the film better.
3. What’s next and the big escape – This is the big question that I am seeking answers to right now. Will it be another book, another screenplay, a new column, more talks around the country, nothing at all? – I have no idea. I do know however, that I need a calm mind to decide all this. Hence, I decided to escape the limelight for a while. Fame and success, while sought after, have the power to disorient you and cloud your judgment. I left India and have come to Hong Kong, a place I am familiar with having spent 11 years here, but also anonymous. I will be here for a while, focusing on looking inside and trying to find out what I really want. A few answers are emerging. Once I have a bit more clarity, I will surely share them with you. I miss India, my family and readers terribly, but this detachment process is important for me.
4. Launches in other cities – because of the need to get away, I postponed the launches in various cities. However, I know I can’t be away from my readers too long, so will be organizing them in the next couple of weeks. The next few ones will be in the South – most likely Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. These will be followed by other cities, details of which I shall post when available.
5. A parting word – I want to end bysharing a small incident. The night before the release of 2 States, I was super tense. I went to the ISKCON temple in Chowpatty and met His Holiness Radhanath Swami, an American gentleman who moved to India several decades ago and devoted his life to serve God. I told him I couldn’t sleep because of the anxiety over the fact that there will be a million judgments on my work, both positive and negative, in the coming days. He told me this:
“Imagine there is a puddle. When it rains, the puddle is filled with water. When it doesn’t, the puddle dries up. Now compare that to the ocean. The ocean is so deep, it doesn’t matter if it rains above or it is dry weather. Your inner depth should be as much as the ocean, so you are not fazed by the external praise or criticism. For that, you must truly do work that is meaningful to you, have love in your heart for others and help people. And when you achieve inner depth, the external world’s rewards won’t matter to you as much.”
I don’t think I am as deep as the ocean yet. But I am trying. Meanwhile, I just felt I will share this with you, so you may apply it in some aspects of your life. Whatever happens outside, it doesn’t matter as much if there is a calm stillness in you.लोकः समासतः सुखिनो भवन्तु
(may all beings in this world be happy)
Love and Blessings,
Me
hmmm although m nt regular reader of books…i used to think i shd read smthn to crack my time smtime. first time i read ur 2 states its superb n beyond words…cnt explain bt tremendous. n after dat i went thru to 3 mistakes…n wud liketo go thru wid other also…
newayz i wish u all success n luck. hope will read ur new book soon..
bbye cya
hmmm although m nt regular reader of books…i used to think i shd read smthn to crack my time smtime. first time i read ur 2 states its superb n beyond words…cnt explain bt tremendous. n after dat i went thru to 3 mistakes…n wud liketo go thru wid others also…
newayz i wish u all success n luck. hope will read ur new book soon..
bbye cya
Hai Mr.Bhagat, I still have not come out of the 2 States hangover .Its such a lovely book with a happy ending. I have read only 2 books twice in all these years though I have read so many novels. One being PIED PIPER by NEVIL SHUTE NORWAY and the second being 2 STATES. These are my favourite books close to my heart and worth reading and will remain so forever.Good work keep it up. Expecting more such lovely and humourous works from you. As you say May all beings in this world be happy.
Adios
Archana
Got the book 2 states last night and i completed reading it today mornin..do i need to say how it was!!!!! amazing book… your books are jus gettin better..great work… pls do continue the good work… i appreciate the issues u bring up in ur articles in d TOI too..
u shld listen to them sumtime when u r in d mood 
sumthing tat i jus remembered..i enjoyed all d things u wrote bout south Indians in ur book…me bein a south Indian could agree to most things u wrote in it..except one thing… the songs in ROJA r not borin chetan
keep up d good wrk…
wishin u good luck…
haribol
that is a truly beautiful meaning.
I value that a lot and I needed to see it today.
I am much more humbled. I am no Chetan, but the praises and the criticisms is something my work as fellow human being is also subject to.
I too well up with the tears from the depth of the Ocean when it is too much for me.
The ocean and the nectar of devotion that comes from it shall always keep us close to Lord Krsna.
That’s all.
swa
Mind blowing work this time… thank you so much for sharing such a nice part of your life with us.
Chetan sir, pls keep on writing such novels.
All the best for all your upcomings.
Regards
Tooo gud!!!awesome!!amazing work!!Hope u give us more!!!
I was so attached to the book that I started reading in office as well. I was laughing alone. So interesting….
I have seen both Punjabi and south Indian culture and the book is very much near to reality.
Good work
Now, my wife has started reading…….
hi there..
m nt a very gud reader…n dnt ve a gr8 collection of novels…
actully i left reading habbit since i left my school…but mst tell u tht i ve all ur books.
nt tht i was a gr8 fan of u…
infact i ve nt purchased any of ur novels…
still read each n evry novel of urs…
actully my boy frnd gifted all ur novels…
so u share a gr8 space in my life…
i knw grls..as in ur novels get flowers ….etc …etc…as gifts..
but thts d only gift tht he gives me always…
so u r very dear 2 me…
nw he sent me this 2 states…ve nt read it yet…
bt wnted share wd u ….actully this one might relate 2 our story as we both ve nevr been in d same state or city actully..and nw country..
whn we use 2 stay 2 gethr nothing really happnd….d 1st gift he gave me me whn he was leavin abroad…ws 5point someone…
i loved it…
and the repurcussions were we… started our love story…but as usual…
my parents…
we still hope evrythn will get sorted out…n we have to….!!!
ok thanks nywz…4 makin my life so special…!!!
all d best….!!!
i read your book 2 states in one go while travelling from delhi to shirdi last saturday. no body can stop from loving it. i would like you to include following lines to conclude the novel in subsequent editions.
Ananya- Hey kris who is this dr. Iyer from the groom’s side.
Kris- yeah this is keralite brahmin. my back up in case u didnot agreed to ……. ha ha ha….
Hi Chetan..Read all of your books n really its awesome the way u write…’A parting word’ was really very nice n it sure wil help in some aspect in our lives. Thanks a lot for sharing it…And I’m already getting impatient for ur next book…Hope u start it soon..(but of course, after ur leisure time, u r a human too):-)
Hello Chetan,
Read 2 States twice in 2 days
Excellent book like your previous novels.
Please give us more books.. Thank you..
Good luck for your future endeavours.
Regards,
Sandhya
Hi Chetan,
Read all your books and except 3 Mistakes I liked them… sorry … love them!
2 States is hilarious and touching….
I was touched really touched in trip to GOA portion.
Kodak Moments Area was real fun reading… The best part of your book is the way you write, the plots you choose and the characters you draw… it makes one feel the moment and live it…. and believe me I do love living it!
May b this is the reason why I see your fans reading a single book as many as twenty times!
I am looking forward to reading all your books (and Yes, multiple times) that will get published in future [:)]
hi,
i was just waiting for your next novel – “Two Stages” from when I heard about it.I was continuously taking updates of its arrival.I got it just two days back.I have finished it within two days, it’s a fantastic work you have done.All the best.Waiting for your next great work………
You may think this as a normal fan.You must be getting thousand responses from fans worldwide.But this is your biggest fan.Im 17 but 2 states really has touched my heart.It not only inspires us to love, but to learn.I really want to ask you whether 2 states is real story or just an imagination, although its written its real but still its too difficult even to imaging this nice touching story.Pleease do write stories on your real life as we get inspiration from you.Being an IITian and IIM alumni we youngster look forware to you.Please reply if ever.Would wait and keep on waiting till you reply in email.Will wait for that day
LOTS OF LOVE
I feel i am so lucky that i got an idea of reading this book 2 states…and i have become a fan of you Chetan…i am extremely fascinated by the english and the thoughts which you have penned without any bias…i was feeling as if i am also one of the character among the book and was watching everything clearly in the story…
i will never forget the favorite word “something something”.
I wish i would have also been a part of this achievement…
I thank God and the people who encouraged you to write all your books…
Closing this, hoping to meet you one day…
Asmita
hey chetan, dis is the first time am writing to u…….there’s a question in my mind wiz has been disturbing me since long. but i’ll ask u that only wen u reply to this……. waiting 4 a quick reply…
Hi Chetan..2 states is interesting..jus started reading..
hi Chetan,
All the four books are superb…
I read all of them..
Hy I want to know is the 2 states ur real life story..
Hy u knw 1 thng while reading ur 5 point someone I imagined my self in each and every character.. even I too did the same things like going to classes by drinking, bunking classes,etc.,…
Hy I am waiting for ur next book and even for your 3 idiots..
Even I read ur column in TOI last sunday, its heart touching…
Infact every Indian should read dat article…
Waiting for ur reply…
Regards,
Prudhvi,
Hyderabad.
I keenly study your books, blog and other columns. When I got news that a new book’2States’ is out, I got one immediately and finished as quick as possible. It is quite a different work. I was fascinated by the motto of the book. We should be Indians, not Punjabi,Tamil, Odia, Marathi etc. Keep on!
( I am an old man of 55; not a young man. But already read all books in detail)