Bollywood stars can’t enjoy meal if paps don’t click them in restaurants, says Chetan Bhagat: ‘It’s a sick life, many suffer from mental health issues’

“I spent 10-15 years of my life trying to make movies. I did six. Then I realised I didn’t want it. They are just translating my stories. Sure, it’s great with songs and glamour, but it’s not satisfying me. Creating magic from blank paper is my gift from God. And there I was, running around sets, waiting for an actor to give me dates. Due to my people-pleasing nature, I had been chasing movies for 15 years. It’s not me; it doesn’t give me deep satisfaction,” he said.

Revealing that the newfound self-assurance hit him when he turned 50 recently, Bhagat shared that it came when he saw some in Bollywood fade. “There are some actors and directors whose movies worked previously but don’t anymore. They don’t take it well; they have mental health issues. There are actors who, when going to a restaurant, if they aren’t recognised, don’t enjoy the meal. They wonder, ‘No one came to click photos?’ Can you imagine what a sick life that is?” Recalling that he left his investment banking job at a time when his books weren’t selling that much, he added, “My last bonus in banking was a million dollars, aside from salary. I bought a house in Bandra with that money. Then I went on to live my life.”

Stating that fame is a drug, Bhagat revealed that he moved to Dubai to escape it. He also maintained that he is no longer addicted to it. “I mostly live in Dubai now, and I am not famous in my neighbourhood. I still love it. The shadow of fame influences creation. If I am constantly aware that I am famous, it won’t lead to very good writing. But Bollywood is the drug house of fame. The intoxication of fame in Mumbai is so strong that it can be felt in the air. It’s hard to leave Mumbai; it’s like smoking.”

Recalling that many celebrities had wished him on his birthdays that came immediately before and after the release of 2 States (2014), Bhagat noted that nobody wishes him anymore. “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. Even the biggest star is insecure because in three movies, they could be gone. Don’t look for friendships in Bollywood. People used to send me food whenever an announcement regarding one of my movies arrived. People would start sending sweets and gifts to my house, trying to get cast in my film. I don’t blame them; it’s part of the hustle. You can call it selfishness or say that it’s their hustle.”