It's showtime for Chetan Bhagat again as he gets ready with his fifth book, Revolution 2020: Love, Corruption, Ambition that will hit stands this October. The bestselling author talks to Subhash K Jha about the new book and his earlier works being turned into films.
It is a somewhat grand title, and at some level it represents the grand aspirations of one of the characters. However, it still is, at its heart, a love story about individuals. Yes, compared to my other books, it is somewhat larger in scope.
The novel's theme suggests a triangular love tale against a socio-political backdrop. What has prompted you to try this format?
I became involved with national issues, especially when I started to write columns two years ago. Education and Corruption became the two causes I wrote about the most in my opinion pieces. As I delved deeper into understanding India, I felt a revolution was inevitable. To explore that idea more, I had started writing Revolution 2020 two years ago, even before the revolution in Egypt. Quite amazingly, the book is coming out at a time when we have some early signs of a revolution in front of us.
You are also a social thinker and columnist. How much of the socio-political upheavals outside influences your fiction?
It is inevitable that some of my thoughts about social issues will creep into my stories. However, I am very strict about not indulging in social messages too much. A story needs to be entertaining and be able to connect with the readers foremost. If a social thought can fit into that, I incorporate it.
Full interview here Rediff
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