Chetan Bhagat Biography: Early Life, Career, Controversies, and Personal Life.

Chetan Bhagat is an Indian author, columnist, and speaker. He was born on 22 April 1974 in New Delhi, India. Bhagat is a graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) and the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad). He is best known for his novels such as "Five Point Someone", "One Night @ the Call Center", "The 3 Mistakes of My Life", "2 States", "Revolution 2020", and "Half Girlfriend". His books have sold millions of copies and have been adapted into successful movies. Bhagat is also a popular motivational speaker and has given talks at various institutions and events.

Early Life and Education

Chetan Bhagat was born and raised in New Delhi. His father, Chandra Shekhar Bhagat, was an army officer, and his mother, Kusum Bhagat, was a government employee. Bhagat has two siblings, an older sister, and a younger brother. He completed his schooling from Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi. Bhagat was an average student in school and did not show any particular interest in academics or literature.

After completing his schooling, Bhagat enrolled in the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) degree. After graduation, Bhagat worked as an investment banker in Hong Kong for a few years. However, he was not satisfied with his job and decided to pursue a career in management.

In 1997, Bhagat quit his job and returned to India to prepare for the Common Admission Test (CAT), the entrance examination for the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). He cleared the exam and was accepted into the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad) to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.

Career

After completing his MBA, Chetan Bhagat joined the investment banking firm Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong. He worked there for a few years before quitting his job to pursue his passion for writing. In 2004, Bhagat's first novel, "Five Point Someone", was published. The book tells the story of three friends who are struggling to cope with the pressures of academic life at an engineering college in India. The book was an instant success and went on to become a bestseller.

Bhagat's second novel, "One Night @ the Call Center", was published in 2005. The book tells the story of a group of call center employees who are facing personal and professional problems. The book was also a bestseller and was later adapted into a movie titled "Hello".

In 2008, Bhagat's third novel, "The 3 Mistakes of My Life", was published. The book tells the story of three friends who start a business together and face various challenges. The book was a commercial success and was later adapted into a movie titled "Kai Po Che!".

Bhagat's fourth novel, "2 States", was published in 2009. The book tells the story of a couple from different cultural backgrounds who fall in love and face opposition from their families. The book was a huge success and was later adapted into a movie with the same name.

In 2011, Bhagat's fifth novel, "Revolution 2020", was published. The book tells the story of three friends who are struggling to achieve their dreams in the corrupt and oppressive education system of India. The book was a bestseller and was later adapted into a movie.

Bhagat's sixth

novel, "Half Girlfriend", was published in 2014. The book tells the story of a boy from rural Bihar who falls in love with a girl from an upper-class Delhi family. The book explores the themes of social class, language barriers, and the complexities of modern relationships. The book was another commercial success and was also adapted into a movie.

Aside from his novels, Chetan Bhagat has also written columns for various newspapers and magazines, including The Times of India, The Hindustan Times, and The Indian Express. His columns cover a range of topics, including politics, education, and social issues. Bhagat's writing style is characterized by its simple language, relatable characters, and contemporary themes.

Bhagat is also a popular motivational speaker and has given talks at various institutions and events. He often speaks about his own experiences and encourages young people to pursue their passions and make a positive impact in the world.

Controversies

Chetan Bhagat has been involved in several controversies throughout his career. In 2016, he was accused of plagiarism by author Anvita Bajpai, who claimed that Bhagat had copied passages from her novel "Life, Odds & Ends" in his novel "One Indian Girl". Bhagat denied the allegations and said that the similarities were coincidental.

Bhagat has also been criticized for his views on various social and political issues. In 2016, he faced backlash for his tweet about the Indian army's surgical strikes on Pakistan. Many people accused him of jingoism and criticized him for politicizing the issue.

In 2019, Bhagat was accused of sexual harassment by a woman who had attended one of his talks. Bhagat denied the allegations and said that they were part of a larger conspiracy to defame him. The incident sparked a debate about the #MeToo movement in India and the need for stricter laws to prevent sexual harassment.

Personal Life

Chetan Bhagat is an Indian author, columnist, and speaker, known for his works of fiction and non-fiction, which have been widely popular among readers in India and abroad. Born on April 22, 1974, in New Delhi, India, Bhagat grew up in a middle-class family and completed his schooling at The Army Public School in New Delhi.

Bhagat pursued his undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, and later received a Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad.

After completing his education, Bhagat worked as an investment banker in Hong Kong and later in Mumbai. However, he left his job to pursue his passion for writing. Bhagat's first novel, "Five Point Someone," was published in 2004, and it became a bestseller in India, catapulting him to literary fame. The book was later adapted into a Bollywood film titled "3 Idiots," which became a massive hit.

Bhagat's other popular works of fiction include "One Night @ the Call Center," "The 3 Mistakes of My Life," "2 States," "Revolution 2020," and "Half Girlfriend." His books have been translated into several languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide.

In addition to his fiction writing, Bhagat is also a popular columnist and has written columns for leading Indian newspapers and magazines, including The Times of India, Hindustan Times, and India Today. He is known for his opinions on a wide range of topics, including politics, social issues, and relationships.

Bhagat is married to Anusha Bhagat, and the couple has two children. They currently reside in Mumbai, India.

Conclusion

Chetan Bhagat is one of India's most popular and influential authors. His novels have sold millions of copies and have been adapted into successful movies. Bhagat's writing style is characterized by its simplicity, relatability, and contemporary themes. Despite facing several controversies throughout his career, Bhagat remains a prominent figure in Indian literature and continues to inspire young people to pursue their passions and make a positive impact in the world.