Samyakk clothing at 23:33, 20 February 2026

2026-02-20T23:33:32Z

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{{short description|Indian celebrity columnist (born 1974)}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}

{{Infobox writer
| name = Chetan Bhagat
| image = Chetan bhagat 1.jpg
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|04|22|df=yes}}
| birth_name = Chetan Prakash Bhagat
| birth_place = [[New Delhi]], India
| language = [[English language|English]], [[Hindi]]
| genre = Romance, realistic fiction, non-fiction, suspense, thriller
| notableworks = ''[[Five Point Someone]]'', ''[[2 States: The Story of My Marriage]]'', ''[[The 3 Mistakes of My Life]]''
| website = {{URL|www.chetanbhagat.com}}
| caption = Chetan Bhagat official portfolio
| alma_mater = {{ubl|[[Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi]] ([[B.Tech]])|[[Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad]] ([[MBA]])}}
| years_active = 2004–present
| children = 2
| spouse = {{marriage|Anusha Suryanarayan|1998}}
}}

'''Chetan Prakash Bhagat''' (born 22 April 1974)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kalita |first=S. Mitra |date=2008-05-17 |title=Chetan Bhagat {{!}} The five-point formula: keep it simple |url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/h1VNDUaEfr7TDyFpWRC4jO/Chetan-Bhagat--The-fivepoint-formula-keep-it-simple.html |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=mint |language=en}}</ref> is an Indian author, [[columnist]], screenwriter, and [[YouTuber]]. He was included in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]] magazine's'' list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2010.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=The 2010 TIME 100 - TIME |url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1984685,00.html |access-date=2022-12-05 |magazine=Time |language=en-US |issn=0040-781X}}</ref> Several of his novels have been adapted into films, including ''[[One Night at the Call Center]]'' and ''[[Half Girlfriend]]''.

==Early life and education==

Chetan Bhagat was raised in a traditional [[Punjabi Hindus|Punjabi Hindu]] family. His father was a [[lieutenant colonel]] in the [[Indian Army]], and his mother worked as a [[scientist]] at the [[Indian Agricultural Research Institute]] in [[New Delhi]]. Bhagat attended the [[Indian Army Public Schools|Army Public School]], [[Dhaula Kuan]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=An Interview With Chetan Bhagat |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/interview/magazine-extra/an-interview-with-chetan-bhagat/8452/1 |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Forbes India |language=en |archive-date=30 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130221734/http://www.forbesindia.com/interview/magazine-extra/an-interview-with-chetan-bhagat/8452/1 |url-status=dead }}</ref> where he developed an interest in writing and contributed jokes to the school magazine.<ref name=":0" />

In 1995, Bhagat graduated with a [[Bachelor of Technology|Bachelor's of Technology]] degree in [[Mechanical Engineering]] from the [[Indian Institute of Technology Delhi|Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-02-24 |title=Tale of the lucky hostel room |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/tale-of-the-lucky-hostel-room/story-tW9CADMSetH7P3cCIJHERM.html |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> He then attended the [[Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad|IIM Ahmedabad]] (IIMA), receiving a degree in Business Administration with a specialisation in marketing in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |author=India TV News Desk |date=2013-10-21 |title=25 best quotes by Chetan Bhagat on career, education, love and success - IndiaTV news |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/business/india/updated-news-chetan-bhagat-quotes-career-education-success-8301.html |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=www.indiatvnews.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sunday Tribune - Books |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060604/spectrum/book5.htm |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=www.tribuneindia.com}}</ref> In 2018, [[Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad|IIMA]] awarded him the Young Alumni Achiever's Award in the Arts & Entertainment category.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-06-26 |title=IIM Ahmadabad celebrates alumni success with YAAA 2018 |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/iim-ahmadabad-celebrates-alumni-success-yaaa-2018-773149 |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=www.ibtimes.co.in |language=en}}</ref>

== Career ==

=== Banking ===

Before becoming a full-time writer, Chetan Bhagat spent nearly 11 years working as an investment banker, primarily in [[Hong Kong]]. He began his banking career at [[Peregrine Investments Holdings]] in [[Canada]], which ceased operations after six months. He then joined [[Goldman Sachs]] in Hong Kong, working there for several years. Later, he moved to [[Deutsche Bank]] in [[Mumbai]], where he was a director.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-10 |title=How Chetan Bhagat Became a Writer from Investment Banker? |url=https://thedigitalyug.com/stories/how-chetan-bhagat-became-a-writer-from-investment-banker |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=thedigitalyug.com |language=en}}</ref>

During his time at Goldman Sachs, Bhagat wrote his first novel, ''[[Five Point Someone]]'' (2004), and his second novel, ''[[One Night @ the Call Center|One Night at the Call Center]] (2005)''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhagat |first=Chetan |url=https://archive.org/details/onenightcallcent0000bhag |title=One night @ the call center |date=2005 |publisher=New Delhi : Rupa & Co. |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-81-291-0818-0}}</ref> In March 2008, Bhagat returned to India as a director at [[Deutsche Bank]] in Mumbai.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ganguly |first=Dibeyendu |date=2008-08-22 |title=Chetan Bhagat: Novelist turn rock star |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/chetan-bhagat-novelist-turn-rock-star/articleshow/3391727.cms |access-date=2025-01-29 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> The same year, his third novel, ''[[The 3 Mistakes of My Life|The 3 Mistakes of My Life (2008)]]'', was published. Following the commercial success of the novel, Bhagat left his banking career to become a full-time author''.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=AFP |date=2014-07-26 |title=Chetan Bhagat: From investment banking to Bollywood scripts |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1121775 |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref>

=== Author ===

His debut novel, ''Five Point Someone'' was published by [[Rupa Publications]] in Delhi in 2004.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Surendran |first=C.P. |date=2016-08-06 |title=Chetan Bhagat, the Feminist, is ready for the trolls |url=https://www.livemint.com/Sundayapp/Oi474Q8DXDE3zTSPRqg2UK/Chetan-Bhagat-the-Feminist-is-ready-for-the-trolls.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324131850/https://www.livemint.com/Sundayapp/Oi474Q8DXDE3zTSPRqg2UK/Chetan-Bhagat-the-Feminist-is-ready-for-the-trolls.html |archive-date=2023-03-24 |access-date=2025-02-27 |work=mint |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Chetan Bhagat at BlrLitFest 2024.jpg|thumb|Chetan Bhagat at BlrLitFest 2024]]

Bhagat's second book, ''[[One Night @ the Call Center|One Night at the Call Center]]'', was published in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |title=One Night at the Call Center by Chetan Bhagat {{!}} Penguin Random House Canada |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/13295/one-night-at-the-call-center-by-chetan-bhagat/9780345498328 |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=www.penguinrandomhouse.ca |language=English}}</ref> It sold almost 50,000 copies in the first three days of its release.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Review: Hello |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/oct/10hello.htm |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=www.rediff.com}}</ref>

His third novel, ''[[The 3 Mistakes of My Life]]'', was published in 2008.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Alok |first=Dr. Nagmani |date=2020-09-14 |title=Adaptation of The 3 Mistakes of My Life into the Film Kai Po Che |url=https://ijels.com/detail/adaptation-of-the-3-mistakes-of-my-life-into-the-film-kai-po-che |journal=International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences |language=en |volume=5 |issue=5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808083459/https://ijels.com/detail/adaptation-of-the-3-mistakes-of-my-life-into-the-film-kai-po-che/ |archive-date=2023-08-08}}</ref>

Bhagat's fourth novel, ''2 States'', was published in 2009 and drew inspiration from his marriage with Anusha Suryanarayan.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2372678/ | title=2 States | website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref> Bhagat's later novels ''[[Revolution 2020]]'', ''[[Half Girlfriend]]'', and ''[[One Indian Girl]]'' were also commercially successful.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chetan Bhagat: books, biography, latest update |url=https://www.amazon.com/stores/Chetan-Bhagat/author/B001IQWOKY |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121163130/https://www.amazon.com/stores/Chetan-Bhagat/author/B001IQWOKY |archive-date=2023-11-21 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=Amazon.com |language=en-us}}</ref>

In 2018, Bhagat published ''[[The Girl in Room 105]]''. This was followed by ''[[One Arranged Murder]]'' in 2020 and ''[[400 Days (novel)|400 Days]]'' in 2021.

=== Screen presence ===

Bhagat was a judge, along with [[Marzi Pestonji]] and [[Preity Zinta]], on the dance reality show ''Nach Baliye'' season 7, which aired on the Indian television channel [[StarPlus|Star Plus]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-24 |title=Chetan Bhagat excited to judge ‘Nach Baliye 7’ |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/chetan-bhagat-excited-to-judge-nach-baliye-7/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

Bhagat also appeared in the Netflix's series ''[[Decoupled]]'', which stars R. Madhavan in the lead role. In the show, Madhavan plays the second-bestselling author in India, while Bhagat portrays himself as India's bestselling author and Madhavan's rival.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-12-21 |title=After Twitter fight with Chetan Bhagat and mocking his books, R Madhavan offers clarification |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/after-twitter-fight-with-chetan-bhagat-and-mocking-his-books-r-madhavan-offers-clarification-101640081605566.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115194000/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/after-twitter-fight-with-chetan-bhagat-and-mocking-his-books-r-madhavan-offers-clarification-101640081605566.html |archive-date=2022-01-15 |access-date=2025-02-06 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en-us}}</ref>

=== Screenwriting ===

For [[Kai Po Che]] (2013), based on his novel ''[[The 3 Mistakes of My Life]]'', Bhagat was one of the four screenplay writers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Ujala Ali |date=2013-02-19 |title=Chetan Bhagat talks about Kai Po Che, the film based on his book |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/books/chetan-bhagat-talks-about-kai-po-che-the-film-based-on-his-book-1.330631 |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=The National |language=en}}</ref> The film was a commercial success<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hungama |first=Bollywood |date=2013-02-22 |title=Kai Po Che! Box office Collection {{!}} India {{!}} Day Wise {{!}} Box Office - Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/kai-po-che/box-office/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |language=en}}</ref> and Bhagat, along with Pubali Chaudhuri, Supratik Sen, and [[Abhishek Kapoor]], won the [[Filmfare Awards|Filmfare Award]] for Best [[Screenplay]] for ''Kai Po Che!'' at the [[68th Filmfare Awards South|68th Filmfare Awards]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2213054/awards/ |title=Kai Po Che (2013) - Awards - IMDb |language=en-US |access-date=2025-02-06 |via=www.imdb.com}}</ref>

=== YouTube ===

Bhagat also runs a YouTube channel featuring motivational videos.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chetan Bhagat|url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMhRbMzPqr_vca_bISQyvsA |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=YouTube}}</ref> He launched a [[podcast]], "Deep Talk ''with Chetan Bhagat"'', where he interviews guests about their paths to success.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Chetan Bhagat on his new podcast 'DeepTalk', reinventing himself, and his secret to a happy life - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/interviews/chetan-bhagat-on-his-new-podcast-deeptalk-reinventing-himself-and-his-secret-to-a-happy-life/articleshow/94200202.cms |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=The Times of India |date=14 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Filmography ===

Five of Bhagat's novels have been adapted into films:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grover |first=Reeka |date=2018-04-10 |title=Novels that became Movies: Chetan Bhagat - Movies |url=https://www.mapsofindia.com/my-india/movies/novels-that-became-movies-chetan-bhagat |access-date=2022-12-07 |language=en-US}}</ref>

* [[Hello (2008 film)|''Hello'']] (2008) – Based on the book "[[One Night @ the Call Center|One Night at the Call Center]]"
* ''[[3 Idiots]]'' (2009), [[Nanban (2012 film)|''Nanban'']] (2012), and [[3 Idiotas]] (2017) – Based on the book "[[Five Point Someone]]"
*'' [[Kai Po Che!]]'' (2013) – Based on the book "[[The 3 Mistakes of My Life]]"
* [[2 States (2014 film)|''2 States'']] (2014) – Based on the book "[[2 States: The Story of My Marriage|2 States]]"
* [[Half Girlfriend (film)|''Half Girlfriend'']] (2017) – Based on the book "[[Half Girlfriend]]"

== Bibliography ==

=== Novels ===

====Standalone====

* ''[[Five Point Someone]]'' (2005)
* ''[[One Night @ the Call Center|One Night at the Call Center]]'' (2006)
* ''[[The 3 Mistakes of My Life]]'' (2008)
* [[2 States: The Story of My Marriage|2 States]] (2009)
* ''[[Revolution 2020]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Half Girlfriend]]'' (2014)
* ''[[One Indian Girl]]'' (2016)
* ''[[12 Years: My Messed-Up Love Story]]'' (2025)

====Series====

# ''[[The Girl in Room 105]]'' (2018)
# ''[[One Arranged Murder]]'' (2020)
# [[400 Days (novel)|''400 Days'']] (2021)

=== Non-fiction ===

* ''[[What Young India Wants]]'' (2012)
* ''Making India Awesome'' (2015)
* ''India Positive'' (2019)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-06-23 |title=Book Review: India Positive, Chetan Bhagat |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/sunday-herald/sunday-herald-books/book-review-india-positive-chetan-bhagat-741869.html |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref>
* ''11 Rules For Life: Secrets to Level Up'' (2024)

== Awards and accolades ==

* Chetan Bhagat was recognised as the "Best outgoing student" by the [[Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad|IIM Ahmedabad]] in 1997.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Dahiya |first=Renu |date=2022-05-31 |title=Chetan Bhagat - Biography, Family, Books, & Achievements |url=https://www.myticketstoindia.com/indian-vibes/chetan-bhagat/ |access-date=2022-12-12 |website=Myticketstoindia.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
* He received the [[Young Achievers Award|Society Young Achiever's Award]] in 2000.<ref name=":0" />
* He won the Publisher's Recognition Award in 2005.<ref name=":0" />
* Included in ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine's list of the World's 100 Most Influential People of 2010 in the Artists category.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=The 2010 TIME 100 - TIME |language=en-US |magazine=Time |url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1984685,00.html |access-date=2022-12-12 |issn=0040-781X}}</ref>
* Listed at No. 47 among the "100 Most Creative People 2011" by the ''[[Fast Company]]'' American business magazine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most creative people 2011:Chetan Bhagat |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3018453/47-chetan-bhagat |website=fastcompany.com |date=2011-05-18 |access-date=2022-12-05}}</ref>
* Won the "[[CNN-News18 Indian of the Year|CNN-IBN Indian of the Year]] 2014" award in the Entertainment category.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-17 |title=List of winners of Indian of the Year 2014 |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/ioty-2014-7-974374.html |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-18 |title=Chetan Bhagat Receives the Indian of the Year Award in the Entertainment Category from IBN |url=https://www.desimartini.com/news/martini-shots/chetan-bhagat-indian-year-award-entertainment-category-ibn-article18791.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612050617/https://www.desimartini.com/news/martini-shots/chetan-bhagat-indian-year-award-entertainment-category-ibn-article18791.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 June 2022 |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Desimartini |language=en}}</ref>
* Ranked No. 82 on the 2017 ''[[Forbes India]]'' Celebrity 100 list.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chetan Bhagat: Writing For Millennials |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/2017-celebrity-100/chetan-bhagat-writing-for-millennials/49039/1 |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Forbes India |language=en}}</ref>
* Received the [https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0001935/2014/1/ IBN Live Movie Awards] for Best Screenplay for *Kai Po Che* in 2014.<ref name=":0" />
* Received the [[Zee Cine Awards]] in 2014 for Best Story for *Kai Po Che*.<ref name=":0" />
* Honoured with the ''[[Golden Book Awards]]'' in 2022 for the book *400 Days*.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wings Publication announces winners of India's most prestigious book award - Golden Book Awards 2022 |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/business/business/wings-publication-announces-winners-of-indias-most-prestigious-book-award-golden-book-awards-202220220125122223/ |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=ANI News |language=en}}</ref>

== Personal life ==

In 1998, Bhagat married Anusha Suryanarayan, whom he met in college at the [[Indian Institutes of Management|IIM]]. One of his novels, "[[2 States: The Story of My Marriage|2 States]]," was inspired by their relationship. They have twin sons named Shyam Bhagat and Ishaan Bhagat.<ref name=":0" />

== Controversy ==

Following the [[MeToo movement in India]], an anonymous woman accused Bhagat of inappropriate behaviour. Screenshots of a [[WhatsApp]] conversation were shared, suggesting he pursued her despite her apparent lack of interest. Bhagat later issued an apology on [[Facebook]], acknowledging his actions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/chetan-bhagat-issues-apology-to-woman-and-wife-after-harassment-accusation-surfaces-5389833|title=Chetan Bhagat issues apology to woman and wife after harassment accusation surfaces|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=2018-10-06}}</ref>

== References ==

{{reflist}}

== External links ==

{{wikiquote}}

{{commons category}}

* {{official website|http://www.chetanbhagat.com/}}
* {{Bollywood Hungama person|chetan-bhagat}}
* {{IMDb name|2746459}}

{{Nach Baliye 7}}
{{Chetan Bhagat}}
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[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:English-language Indian writers]]
[[Category:IIT Delhi alumni]]
[[Category:Indian male novelists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Punjabi people]]
[[Category:Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad alumni]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian novelists]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Delhi]]
[[Category:Indian male screenwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian essayists]]
[[Category:Indian male essayists]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian journalists]]
[[Category:The Times of India journalists]]
[[Category:Indian male journalists]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:Novelists from Delhi]]
[[Category:Writers from Delhi]]
[[Category:Indian mechanical engineers]]
[[Category:Goldman Sachs people]]

Chetan Bhagat - Revision history

Samyakk clothing at 23:33, 20 February 2026