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Chetan Bhagat Says Bollywood’s Fame Culture Breeds Insecurity and Hurts Mental Health

The author says he left Mumbai's fame-driven scene for Dubai to protect his writing.

Overview

  • Chetan Bhagat, in a new Pinkvilla interview reported on Nov. 4, describes Bollywood as a place where recognition becomes addictive and corrosive.
  • He says some actors struggle to enjoy ordinary outings without being photographed, which he argues reflects harmful pressures on mental health.
  • Bhagat characterizes the industry as a deal-making factory with few genuine friendships and pervasive insecurity about careers.
  • He recounts receiving sweets and gifts around film announcements from people seeking roles, which he cites as evidence of transactional relationships.
  • After spending 10–15 years making six films, he says filmmaking felt like translation rather than creation, so he now lives mostly in Dubai to focus on writing.