May 14, 2010 (Sampurn Wire): Super-bestselling author Chetan Bhagat, who is just back from New York after attending the event at the Lincoln Centre in the Time Warner building on 4 May, bringing together Time Magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential People, got a chance to meet some of the world’s biggest celebrities including Bill Clinton and Elton John.

But the close encounters that Chetan is unlikely to forget are with Hollywood’s comic superstar Ben Stiller (of Meet The Parents fame) and super-singer Taylor Swift.

Says Chetan, “I had a conversation with Ben Stiller about filmmaking and how he juggles roles between being an actor, writer, director, and producer and how he decides what to do when.”

As for Taylor Swift, Chetan couldn’t help marvel at how young and successful she was. “Taylor Swift is a 20 year old music sensation in the USA who came from nowhere, and has already sold 100 million albums. I asked her about how she handles so much fame, and she spoke about having a tight set of old friends that keep her grounded.”

Besides these two super-celebs, Chetan also met the Hurt Locker director, Katheryn Bigelow. “I chatted with Kathryn Bigelow on how she agreed to do such an offbeat film like The Hurt Locker. She told me she’s attracted to odd stuff. Bill Clinton’s speech was outstanding too. He spoke about how the room was unique as people in the room have tried to influence others by their positive work which is different from terrorists who influence by hurting others. It was amazing to see so many of the world’s best under one roof. From known faces like Ben Stiller, Elton John, and Bill Clinton, to people who are developing cancer vaccines and saving forests, you realize how little you are compared to these people and there is such a long way to go.”

Chetan Bhagat is still pretty much over-powered by the experience of being in Time’s Power List. “It is one of the truly important moments of my life. Not only because it is a global recognition, but also that the recognition came because of influence, something that is the intention behind all my work. It is baffling that I’m the only Indian in the artists category, and that there were only two writers globally in the list that includes world leaders as well.”

Chetan can’t forget the moment he heard he had been selected. “I remember the exact moment Time called me. It was late at night here and I was brushing my teeth. Radhika Jones, a senior editor called and gave me the news. So you can say, I was literally foaming in my mouth when I heard it.”

The recognition on such a posh international platform does surprise Chetan. “I am a fully homegrown product who writes about and for the Indian audience, and it is rare for a domestic author to be recognized abroad at this level globally. Frankly, I had no clue when I started writing that my books will have such an impact. It still baffles me sometimes.”

The bitter experience Chetan had with the makers of 3 Idiots has not disenchanted him towards Bollywood.

Says the writer, “I am helping Abhishek Kapoor on the script of the 3 Mistakes Of My Life. Apart from that I will do a straight –to- script rom-com. I haven’t decided any firm themes for my fifth book yet. I also am judging Star Anchor Hunt, a talent show to find young, bright news anchors across the country.”

The writer doesn’t feel ostracized for the 3 Idiots controversy. “Many in Bollywood support me, and almost no one has deserted me, as they know I had a point and that I was dignified in the way I handled it. Almost all film journalists backed me in the controversy. You often find people from Bollywood praising my books on Twitter, unsolicited. There is a lot of interest in my new novel 2 States, and another film is in production. There is no one-big-bad-Bollywood. To quote a Bollywood movie My Name Is Khan, there are good people and bad people, everywhere. People know I am a team player and I bring a lot to the table when I am in a project, and that’s what the good people care about.”

Bhagat can’t help noticing the irony of being accused of cheap publicity at home and being recognized among the most influential people globally. “There couldn’t have been a more fitting response. As I have always said, Lord Krishna is watching. He made it happen for me.”

Chetan Bhagat now intends to use his power and influence to impact young people in our country. “The entertainment is fine, it is what else I can do with my writing that matters. My columns in Times of India and Dainik Bhaskar are increasingly about youth issues or suggestions to politicians about improving conditions for the youth. My talks continue around the country, over 50 in the last year alone. I lobby with politicians on youth- based issues whenever I can. Also, I must continue to be successful in my writing work as a lot of young people see me as like them and get inspired by me. They see me as the rare case where a middle class boy came from nowhere and left his mark. I need to succeed not only for myself, but also for them to keep their hopes alive .That yes, it can be done.”

– Subhash K. Jha / Sampurn Wire