Chetan Bhagat of Five-Point Someone and One Night @Call Centre fame is a youth icon but he himself idolizes Mahatma Gandhi. Ritusmita Biswas meets the acerbic writer for a tete-a-tete. Chetan Bhagat, 31, is an investment banker in Hong Kong by day but a writer by night. An alumni of IIT, Delhi, his experience at the institute was the fodder for his first novel Five Point Someone which became an instant hit. He was also judged the 'best outgoing student award' at IIM, Ahmedabad.

Mistress of Spice To catch a star Jungle songs Lady with the Potter wand Straddling two worlds Bollywood calling We speak like that only Sing a song for literacy Looking back in wonder Perfect Balance His own Ramayanan

Writing has become the ‘in’ thing today. People from diverse fields are now keen to write and in many cases are becoming very successful too. What does it take to become a successful writer?
I really do not know. I believe I am still in the formative process searching the perfect recipe to be a successful writer. Yes, to be a writer it is very important to have literary talent. Then it is a matter of putting in that streak of genuine effort.

How did your first novel Five Point Someone happen? Was it a conscious career decision or a call from within that urged you to pen down your thoughts?
I believe writing is an art. It is only after you recognise your own talent then it becomes a conscious career decision. The same applies in my case. When I realised that I have that certain amount of literary talent, I decided to take the plunge.
I have loved writing since my first four-line joke that came out in the school magazine. I was in Class V then. Writing a book was always a dream, but I was worried my life would never have something so spectacular that I would have a story to tell. But hostel life in IIT was quite something and it touched me (and anyone else who has been there) like nothing else in my life. Maybe it was just the age, but it was very special. Hence, I got the subject of my first novel Five Points Someone.

Both your books have essentially identified you as a youth writer. What is your opinion on the present day youth? Are they confused morally and cramped under peer or social pressure?
Yes, I believe that GenerationX today in India is highly confused. And this is partly due to their age and partly due to the circumstances. Youth today do not know what they want to do with their lives and often have no one to look forward to. Through my writing I try to create role models whom people will look forward to.

How would you define your writing style?
My style is extremely informal. The idea is to write as people talk in college going age. Hence, no flowery language, no tough words you dreaded in a dictation, no set rules. Yet - it works, because it is the language of real people.

How do you react to criticism?
I generally do not react to negative criticisms. They amuse me. But positive criticisms are always welcome as they help me to flourish as a writer and rectify my flaws.

How has writing helped you to grow as a person?
The first thing it has done is that it has made me a much more confident man. When I started I was unsure about how my literary venture would be received. But now I have confidence enough to look forward to doing new books.

Will your next story too be focused on youth?
Yes, that is for sure. I am 31 and as long as I am young I will write youth stories. That is because I can write about our own lives, own issues which I can identify with. Writing is like a therapy for me.

A little bit about your personal life? You stay with..
My wife Anusha. Both of us come from typical middle class families. I have two twin sons aged one and half years.

Your favourite vacation spot?
Though I hardly got any time in the recent years to take a vacation yet till date my most favourite place to spend a vacation is Australia.

Favourite dress ?
Nothing like jeans and a T shirt!! I love to wear dresses that are casual and relaxing.

Favourite food?
Thai food and sweets from Kolkata!

Favourite way to relaxing?
Yoga, watching movies and of course, writing. It is the best mode for me to relax.

Your favourite books?
I love to read anything and everything. If a stranger comes and tells me this book is interesting I shall go ahead and read it. Mahatma Gandhi is my role model. He was an excellent journalist and a great writer.

Is there another side of you that readers don’t know about?
Well, when I was very young I wanted to be a chef. I gave up because I saw some really overweight chefs and I was worried I would have a heart attack by 35. I still like cooking (and eating). Owing to yoga influences, I am turning mostly vegetarian but still like creating healthy, tasty dishes. Secondly, I really like Govinda and some other Tapori movies. These days I do enjoy movies and books with deep meaning but how can you be a Delhi boy and not like Govinda?