Chetan Bhagat says Bollywood is ‘fundamentally a very insecure industry’; advises ‘Don’t look for friendships here’

The glamorous world of the film industry and those who have formed it have repeatedly been accused of running a charade. Recently, famous writer Chetan Bhagat, whose novels like ‘2 States’ and ‘Half Girlfriend’ were converted into movies, shared his thoughts on the subject and said that the industry is packed with fake people and insecurities.

Chetan Bhagat calls Bollywood a fundamentally very insecure industry

While speaking to Pinkvilla, Chetan Bhagat revealed that when ‘Two States’ came out, people whom he didn’t even know tried to get connected to him.“I had my birthday, the whole industry wishing me, “great writer Chetan Bhagat, happy,” but I don’t even know those people. Not only on message, publicly on Twitter, people wishing me — now they don’t,” he shared. The writer added that it's fine for his friends and family to wish him, but it was surprising to see some random people from the industry messaging him to establish a bond. He added, “The funny thing is, they put a veneer of love and friendship around it. It’s a deal-making factory. Be open about it. What benefit will I get? What benefit will you get?”Citing his own example, he said he was interviewing to promote the book, and he should be clear about it from the word go.

“But if I just say, ‘I came to see you, man, your personality, oh by the way, book,’ you know, like, that’s not right. And people do that. And people pretend to be your friend, and people wish you a birthday, and all kinds of things and silly,” he said.The ‘Two States’ writer further added, “It’s fundamentally a very insecure industry. The biggest star is insecure. Because in three movies, they could be gone. Somebody new could come and make them look old or stale or replaceable.

They are always insecure.” Chetan Bhagat mentioned that everybody is sailing in the same boat, and it is a shaky boat. “Everyone is looking for a pole to hold so that we can hold, and there is no pole. Everybody is shaking,” he mentioned.

Chetan Bhagat advises not to look for friendship in the industry

Further establishing that everyone appears fake and is around for a reason, Chetan Bhagat added, “Don’t look for friendships here.”He said most of his friends are people from college when he was not famous.

A few others became friends later, but they don’t work with him and don’t expect any favours from him. The writer quoted, “They are just doing their own thing, I’m doing my own thing, and we love spending time with each other. So I think that’s better. But this illusion that ‘I am your friend, man,’ and they are actors, right? So they do such a good job at hugs and like the parties and the air kisses.”He also mentioned that people who don’t know that he rarely has any part in casting actors in movies often try to bribe him with treats and sweet messages. However, he doesn’t blame them for it, as perhaps it is a part of their struggle.