Chetan Bhagat: I’ve never been too tied down to my image

Amid getting chatty about his Ahmedabad connect and striking a balance between life and his reality TV stint as a celebrity judge, celebrated author Chetan Bhagat delivers some googlies about life’s surprises and the need to look at every single detail of life differently.
In Ahmedabad on a promotional tour, the reality TV judge certainly did cast an intelligent impact with his ready wit, analytical wisdom and of course, a warm smile with which he greeted everyone he met.Excerpts from a conversation with Chetan:
How has been the learning curve in the entertainment industry, since now you have delved into showbiz?
I have tried to broaden myself from being just an author of books to a writer of cross mediums. And now, I have developed a greater understanding for various forms of what comprises the entertainment industry, apart from writing just songs and dance. It’s been the biggest broadening of horizons that has happened to me in the last five to seven years.
Did you ponder over finding a perfect fit between a dance reality show and the intellectual tag that you enjoy?
Firstly, I have never been too tied down to my image. There are many questions that surround an author – ‘you are an author, you are an intellectual’. However, I always went more by the purpose of what I wanted to do. It may alter my image – the perception of people of me, but if there’s something which ties in with my goals, I’ve got to do it. So, I did 'Nach Baliye'. This may seem way too erratic, but my goal is clear. Nach... is probably the biggest jumps that I have made. The aim is to reach the maximum number of people and bring in change by influencing them with my messages and views on the country. Nach... is a big opportunity for me to reach people in the rural and interior parts of India.
Your stint as a reality TV judge seems to be fetching you the sobriquet of ‘giving guru gyaan’…
Not some, but there are many critics. About giving gyaan – well, that is my role in the show. What engages the viewer is important and if people like to watch what I say about a relationship, then I am happy about it. What many don’t realise is that in the 12 hours of shooting that takes place, we talk a lot about many things. And if I am giving too much gyaan, then those portions could be easily edited too. But the fact that this gyaan is kept for the viewers’ consumption says that it is actually working. The audience needs some wow moments, good songs and good entertainment.
Doesn’t sticking to a particular format take away the creative liberty?
When you are in showbiz, you have to let go of the author thing completely. Reality dance show is a team game, whereas by being an author, you are doing a solo act. While working in a team you have to listen. I am fascinated by the fact that there are these couples, who are completely open about their relationship and come on TV revealing a lot about their relationships. This triggers a lot of curiosity as a writer. I like to look at human beings with different viewpoints in life. I am lucky to be in an age which is very different. Earlier, writers didn’t have the choice and today, if you are comfortable with the mediums you have, there are a lot of things that you can do. I will continue to write and give my views on politics.
Set alert for your favourite TV shows here
FOR LATEST TV UPDATES, NEWS, GOSSIP AND VIDEOS
- Follow us on Twitter @TOITV
- Like us on Facebook TimesTV
Watch: Chetan Bhagat slapped with defamation suit