Published 14:29 IST, July 21st 2020
Critic tried to destroy my career; also tried to sink Sushant Singh Rajput: Chetan Bhagat
Chetan Bhagat claimed that a critic had tried to destroy his career and 'sink' Sushant Singh Rajput, while urging audiences, stars to stop patronising them.
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Chetan Bhagat slammed film critics in a strong statement as he highlighted the challenges and unfavourable practices of the film industry. The writer claimed that a critic had tried to ‘destroy’ his career and also tried to ‘sink’ Sushant Singh Rajput, who passed away last month. As the late actor’s last film geared up for release on Friday, Bhagat uged ‘elitist critics’ to avoid their ‘dirty tricks’ and ‘write sensibly.’
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Chetan Bhagat on Tuesday took to Twitter to state the entertainment industry was not merely about actors, and many people play ‘crucial parts’ in making a film and the manner they were treated mattered. The Five Point Someone author stated that the entertainment industry was tough and that ‘mere survival’ in itself was a ‘huge victory.’ Stating that everyone had their journey, he asserted that those survive were ‘stars.’
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‘Grades’ have become a talking point in the film industry over Kangana Ranaut stating that Taapsee Pannu and Swara Bhasker were considered as ‘B-grade actresses’ and the duo poking fun at it. Bhagat stated that ‘assigning grades’ contributed to ‘unnecessary anxiety and pressure.’
As Sushant's last film Dil Bechara releases this week, he sent a message to the ‘snob and elitist critics’ to ‘write sensibly’, ‘be fair’ and not ‘act oversmart’ by writing ‘rubbish’ and trying ‘dirty tricks.’ Claiming they ‘ruined enough lives’, he urged them to stop doing so and that people ‘will be watching.’
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He termed it as an ‘awful business strategy’ to hire people ‘who don't understand India and think they are better than Indians’ and called them as ‘brown outside - white inside’, who will make the organisations they work go ‘bankrupt.’
Bhagat claimed that one critic tried to ‘destroy’ his career and ‘spew venom’ on all his endeavours. Bhagat also stated that the critic ‘tried his best to sink Sushant.’ The writer claimed that the critic’s ‘main hates’ were ‘self made people’, ‘ less anglicized more desi people’ and ‘confident small town Indians’, and ‘begged’ stars not to ‘patronize him.’
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Bhagat claimed the critics had gained from their ability to speak good English, but stated that they were ‘evil people’, who ‘hated Indians.’ He urged people to stop looking at them for their validation.
He also gave an example of how even the biggest stars would love to hear praises for their film in sophisticated english, rather than in Hindi, thus making the ‘vile critics’ important.
Bhagat told the stars that they made money in crores and were loved by Bollywood, so they should not need validation from ‘phony, English speaking evil critics who caused mental health issues leading to a star’s death.’
He added that there were many ‘excellent critics’ on radio and online, but they were not given as much importance as phony, la-di-da English speaking ones.'
Bhagat-Sushant link
Chetan Bhagat’s numerous books have been adapted into films in Bollywood. Sushant was associated with two of them, making his debut with Kai Po Che, which was an adaptation of 3 Mistakes of My Life. Sushant had also signed the Half Girlfriend adaptation, before Arjun Kapoor eventually did the film.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Police has questioned over 35 people in connection to Sushant’s death, that took place at his Bandra home on June 14. The police, however, have ruled out foul play and citing post-mortem, said death was due to ‘aspyxia due to hanging’.
14:29 IST, July 21st 2020