(Image source from: How social media is reacting to the Chetan Bhagat's “Half Girlfriend”?})
Acche Din might be a far-fetched reality for most Indians as of now, and with Bhagat all set to bombard the nation with his next tear-jerker, good days can't seem more distant.
Jokes apart, Bollywood's bestselling author and the father of all things mushy, maudlin and melodramatic, Chetan Bhagat, is back with his next love saga. Titled “Half Girlfriend”, the book is slated to hit the stores sometime this October. However, if you are an avid Bhagat lover, you can already pre-book your copy on Flipkart now.
Bhagat tweeted the announcement last night: "Tomo. New book announcement. Super excited.(sic)" He further added, "Thank you God for taking care of me so far. Leaving tomorrow in your hands.(sic)"
And lest you missed that big proclamation, most leading newspapers ensured that you don't miss the big news by dedicating a full front-page ad to Flipkart.
In the ad, Chetan Bhagat, putting on his best Tom Cruise face and that characteristic grin, introduced the world to his “Half Girlfriend”, a morality tale with a brief snatch: “Once upon a time there was a Bihari boy called Madhav. He fell in love with a girl called Riya. Madhav didn't speak English well. Riya did. Madhav wanted a relationship. Riya didn't. Riya just wanted friendship. Madhav didn't. Riya suggested a compromise. She agreed to be his half-girlfriend. "
From the jacket blurb in the ad, the new novel sounds nothing novel to the ears. It's the same Chetan Bhagat-ish boy likes girl, girl hates him because he can't write a single sentence in correct English (the horror, the horror), and wants to friend-zone him. Like any self-respecting Indian male, the guy's like 'no way'. Left without a choice, she agrees to be his half-girlfriend.
Now if you are struggling to decipher that rather bewildering title of CB's next, we assume that “Half Girlfriend”could be his new coinage for 'friends with benefits' .
No sooner the news of CB's started trending on Twitter, the 'elitist snobs' went mad with envy, while 'true Indians' rejoiced with anticipation. Here is how some die-hard Chetan Bhagat assailants tweeted:
@JatinPaul: “Meanwhile, this is what Indian writing in English has slumped to. Here's #HalfGirlfriend by 1/10th-an-author Bhagat.”
@chetan_bhaqat: "Half girlfriend" is not a new concept, In olden times we even had 1/5 wife #Draupadi : Deeenanath Batraa”
@JalTweets: “How we wish Chetan Bhagat provided a free copy of his upcoming book #halfgirlfriend with the front page TOI adv. So much of free publicity.”
@amish_b: “ @chetan_bhagat is progressively declining: 5 point Someone,3 mistakes of my life,2 States,1 night @ call center & now 1/2 Girlfriend”
@kanikagahlaut: “Chetan Bhagat's autobiography: Half an Idiot.”
AW: Suchorita Choudhury
