Chetan Bhagat, India's 'leading' author, has made one too many mistakes, beginning with Five Point Someone. But that never stopped from seeing himself as the man who would usher in a 'revolution' that India, he thought, needs, as he went on to pen Revolution 2020. He became a regular face in channel discussions on practically everything under the Indian sun. Just when you thought he inspired Indians enough with his empty opinions and soulless novels, he showed that there are latent talents in him that can be showcased by being a judge on reality television.
On Saturday, however, the man who made almost every other guy on Tinder a bibliophile with his Three Mistakes, Two States and Half Girlfriend among other gems, found himself embroiled in controversy. Screenshots of his chats with a journalist in which he was trying to “woo” her went viral, forcing him to come up with an apology on his Facebook page.
In an apology that may very well double up as a poor excuse for hitting on the woman journalist who was trying to dissuade him in clear words, the writer said, “Maybe I misread the friendliness.” He acknowledged that the screenshots were real and added that the conversation took place a long time ago.
“Also, I also want to clarify that there never was was nothing physical, no lewd pictures or words that were ever exchanged. I think I deleted the person’s number soon thereafter and we haven’t been in touch for years (sic!),” he wrote, as if this would absolve him of his intention to “woo” the girl.
Read his post below:
Dear All,
I would like to make a couple of points about the screenshots that someone has shared just a couple of hours ago. It has taken me this much time because I saw them a bit late, and then I was in a conversation with Anusha. I am telling you all whatever I told her, which to my recollection is the truth.
But first of all, I am really sorry to person concerned. The screenshots, are of course real, and I am sorry if you felt they were wrong I hope you will accept my apology.
Just in terms of more information, these screenshots are several years old, and I had met the person in question a couple of times. We hit it off really well as a friendship, and as I say in the screenshots, I did feel a strong connection with her. I did find her a good human being, sweet, cute and funny (as I also say in the screenshots).
As I also say in the screenshots, I realized I was married and this was not about looking for any action. I just had not felt that kind of connection in a while. Maybe I was going through a phase, maybe these things just happen, or maybe I felt the person felt the same too based on our conversations (which I don’t need to repeat here). However, it was stupid of me, to feel that way and to even share that with her. I just told Anusha about it as well, and apologized to her for doing the same. I should have had better judgement, but I guess I erred a bit there. Maybe I misread the friendliness. Also, I am not completely sure because it was long ago, but the ‘wooing’ bit may have come from a conversation we had about how nobody woos anyone anymore and how sometimes one misses being wooed. My new book then was also about women (One Indian Girl) and we also discussed wooing and relationships in that context.
Also, I also want to clarify that there never was was nothing physical, no lewd pictures or words that were ever exchanged. I think I deleted the person’s number soon thereafter and we haven’t been in touch for years.
We do feel certain things sometimes, and I did too. I found this person special, and different from all others I had met. I shouldn’t have, and maybe I shouldn’t have shared it with that person in a private conversation either.
Once again, I am sorry to the person concerned, and of course most of all to Anusha. I hope you can forgive me.
For everyone’s information, am running this response past Anusha first, to ensure she is okay with it.
Regards,
Chetan
