Chetan upset with 3 Idiots team

“The plot line was same – people meet at ragging, the first class with definition of machine, the friends separate, Alok (Raju) moves with Venkat (Chatur), Ryan (Rancho) helps Alok"s father, Alok rejoins group etc etc. From Alok (Raju) jumping to stealing the papers and calling out from Cherian (Virus") office – the book came alive on screen. I was surprised and happy that FPS has made it in such a grand way. However, my family had not spotted my credit in the beginning (there was none) and they were feeling let down. A screenplay associate credit to VVC had a prominent upfront placement. The story credit was not shared with me. And yes, all the office talk of a 'king treated like king" was a white lie"

Knowing the drastic consequences of taking on the bigwigs in the industry he writes “ Some people have told me that I should keep silent. I did try to be silent but didn"t work. Also, people say this is how Bollywood works. Sorry, I disagree. Not all Bollywood works like this. There are a lot of good people too. And every event like this helps change things for the better. And that is what I am all about anyway. Like I said, I don"t need anything. Even if I have no more movies made on my stories or nobody wants to read my books and columns, I"ll happily join ISKCON and dedicate my life to Krishna. But I will not shy away from the truth – ever"

Raj Kumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Aamir Khan will have to do a lot of answering on the issue.

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User Comments

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Supporting Chetan 06 Jan 2010 06:39 pm

Aamir Khan is a rare combination of a good actor and a hard nosed businessman. His marketing skills are phenomenal. But why people treat him like a god is beyond me. Why they mistake his film roles as his reality off screen is beyond comprehension. If he acts in a movie as a patriot who dies for the country, he is treated like a patriotic who has really died. If he acts in a movie as a student of IIT mouthing words written by Chetan Bhagat and screenplay writer Abhijat Joshi he is treated as the IIT alumni with a message for the nation. The only problem is the alumni is Chetan Bhagat and the message is his.

Supporting Chetan 06 Jan 2010 06:34 pm

Since Chetan Bhagat never at any time sold the authorship of the book to the film maker Vinod Chopra, and the contract of September 2005 was a regular contract between an author and a producer, CB never expected Abhijat Joshi to be given credit for the story. For screenplay, yes, but not for the story. What harm would it have done to put Chetan Bhagat's name where it deserved to be, in the opening credits as the author of the book on which the film was made and screenplay done by Abhijat Joshi? Why do I get the impression Aamir Khan entered the scene not just as lead actor but also as co-producer. Why else would he be so furiously involved in the promotion of the film if he didn't stand to get a portion of the profits. He is keeping close track of numbers and money collected. Why would it concern him if he was merely an actor who had been paid for his role?

Supporting Chetan 06 Jan 2010 06:28 pm

Amol Gupte related how it had taken him two years to get interested in making a film on childrens' issues on which he had been working for two decades. And how for 109 Amol Gupte was the director at the side of Aamir Khan and did everything to get the movie in shape, dealing with child stars based on his experience. When the movie was finished at editing time, Aamir and his wife decided they needed to redo some scenes and hey presto after that it became the entire work of Aamir Khan. This is the Aamir Khan claiming that Abhijat Joshi is the real author of the story of 3 Idiots and Chetan Bhagat has nothing to do with the film or its plot. Are they trying to imply they donated nine lakhs and ninety thousand to Chetan Bhagat in Nov/Dec 2009 before the release of 3 Idiots as per the contract? The money for the book rights adaptation was merely ninety thousand rupees! The rest, nine lakhs was supposed to have been paid after release of the film based on its monetary performance and at the discretion of the producer!

Supporting Chetan 06 Jan 2010 06:21 pm

After reading the interview of Hindustan Times on 10 April 2008 with Amol Gupte and his experience with Aamir Khan, I felt so sick. Is THIS the guy millions are treating like a god? By God, they need to have their heads examined. Aamir Khan played dirty as dirty could be. But his fans are so brainwashed they will justify anything their hero god does. Are Indians so stupid then?

arihant 03 Jan 2010 07:12 pm

i have read FPS and i feel chetan has done what was required to draw the attention of people towards the meaness of persons who earned on the name of gandhigiri BEST SOLUTION WAIT AND WATCH GOD IS TAKING CARE OF WHOLE ISSUE

subhash 03 Jan 2010 08:05 am

Chetan, I have been following your story in headlines and Samay. I think the problem started with your negotiation with Vidhu and Raju and underestimating the capabilities of Raju in putting togther a good film. Raju has proven to be a good Coach and Quaterback who works best in making quality Indian Cinema. You got the lowest price because you were never reprsented by Financial Advisor or Attorney in selling your IP or book concept, it is like selling real estate, you need to get the best value. I was involved in a transaction where we sold the IP for $1.5m, technology developed in 2000/2001 in India (cash). In Holloywood, book writer are compensated well because they are represented by agents who are usually financial advisors. Once you sign the contract and take the consideration, you need to move on unless Vidhu/Raju wants to take a American style approach,( live and let others live) create a win win situation. Keep this in mind once Raju is making the film he will put his heart and soul and get a good movie out for the public. MMBS and Lage Raho are good examples, these movies are stress reliver specially MBBS, you can watch 50 times and still laugh during the movie. You were navie to think that Raju is making a movie and it will not result in great success. solution for Chetan, get yourself represented by financial advisor and compromise with Vidhu and let the bygones byegones. if you need probono advise, reply to these comments and I will help you.

Chandan 02 Jan 2010 10:51 pm

I guess vidhu, aamir and hirani are the biggest 3 idiots, Bollywood had ever had. How did they even think of that they could make millions of people, who have read FPS, believe that it's their story. Abhijeet and Hirani, you guys should die out of shame..!!

Romit R 02 Jan 2010 02:45 pm

The biggest reason why Chetan Bhagat has a fan following is because people think he is an IIT IIM alumni, if he is saying something, probably it would make sense...the truth is he is an average over-rated writer. If anyone who is older than 21 and is reading his books, they are either wasting time or need to improve their English.

faizan 02 Jan 2010 02:16 am

CB rocks...aamir is wrong in every way...CB dont need any publicity...he is known to every youth...so mr vidhu,hirani and aamir u all proved that life can never be as easy as u depict them in movies...where is that gandhigiri and all izzzz well mantra...what to say u 3 r certainly idiots

Tanveer Sarma 01 Jan 2010 11:24 pm

Aamir is my favorite actor and Chetan Bhagat is my favorite author. But it is the naked truth that the film was inspired by Bhagat's novel so he should be given some credit. I came to know about the movie through Chetan Bhagat's website first. So, definitely many knew that 3 Idiots is coming due to 5 pt some1 . C'mon Aamir u dont wanna lose many fans due to this controversy.

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