Before becoming a best-selling author, whose books went on to become blockbuster movies, Chetan Bhagat made a career as an investment banker. An alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad, Bhagat spent several years working at various big-name investment banks and even became a director at a multinational investment bank in Mumbai.
Speaking to Pinkvilla, he revealed that at the peak of his career as an investment banker, he gave it all up to become a writer. “My last bonus in banking was a million dollars (about Rs 9 crore), apart from the salary. (This was in 2008.) I bought a house in Bandra with that money. I realised this was a gift from God. Then I went on to live my life.”
Reflecting on his experiences in the film industry, Bhagat described Bollywood as a place driven entirely by opportunism rather than genuine bonds. He recalled how numerous celebrities reached out to him during the release of 2 States in 2014, showering him with birthday wishes and gifts and even sending food, hoping to secure roles in his films.
Once the excitement faded, so did their gestures, revealing the superficial nature of these relationships. Bhagat observed that the industry thrives on appearances and calculated networking rather than true affection or loyalty.
“I didn’t even know those people. They put a veneer of love and friendship around it. However, there’s no real friendship in Bollywood; it’s a deal-making factory. It’s fundamentally a very insecure industry,” he said.
He emphasized that insecurity lies at the heart of Bollywood, where even top stars live in constant fear of fading relevance after just a few unsuccessful films. To him, such behavior—though self-serving—is part of the relentless hustle that defines the industry, a survival mechanism in a world where success and connections often matter more than sincerity.
Speaking to Pinkvilla, he revealed that at the peak of his career as an investment banker, he gave it all up to become a writer. “My last bonus in banking was a million dollars (about Rs 9 crore), apart from the salary. (This was in 2008.) I bought a house in Bandra with that money. I realised this was a gift from God. Then I went on to live my life.”
Reflecting on his experiences in the film industry, Bhagat described Bollywood as a place driven entirely by opportunism rather than genuine bonds. He recalled how numerous celebrities reached out to him during the release of 2 States in 2014, showering him with birthday wishes and gifts and even sending food, hoping to secure roles in his films.
Once the excitement faded, so did their gestures, revealing the superficial nature of these relationships. Bhagat observed that the industry thrives on appearances and calculated networking rather than true affection or loyalty.
“I didn’t even know those people. They put a veneer of love and friendship around it. However, there’s no real friendship in Bollywood; it’s a deal-making factory. It’s fundamentally a very insecure industry,” he said.
He emphasized that insecurity lies at the heart of Bollywood, where even top stars live in constant fear of fading relevance after just a few unsuccessful films. To him, such behavior—though self-serving—is part of the relentless hustle that defines the industry, a survival mechanism in a world where success and connections often matter more than sincerity.
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