Roaring Controversy Over Chetan Bhagat’s New Book
- sehar rollingauthors
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Chetan Bhagat has not always been, what you would call, a clean-slate author. An IIT & IIM graduate, Bhagat often finds himself at the centre of memes and public criticism. Be it his debut novel Five Point Someone, or the highly debated One Indian Girl, he has always made it to the headlines for both positive and negative reasons. His latest novel 12 Years: My Messed Up Love Story has already garnered a lot of attention and has led up to more debates than he would have liked.
Table of Contents:
What set off the uproar
The controversy around 12 Years comes from its central relationship. A 33 year old divorced man falls in love with a 21 year old young woman. The story is framed as a complicated love affair that unfolds over time. But for many readers, the age difference did not sit comfortably.
They felt the relationship carried echoes of imbalance, with some saying it represents "borderline grooming behavior”. They wondered whether the character dynamics were unequal and emotionally mismatched and questioned whether the story unintentionally normalised something that in real life could feel unhealthy. People claimed, the relationship dynamic between a 45 year old and a 33 year old is very different from that of a 33 year old and 21 year old, though the age gap remains the same. The book has laid maximum emphasis on how “innocent” and “inexperienced” the female is, giving into deep-rooted patriarchal notions of feminine standards and benchmarks.
Others defended the book, arguing that fiction should be allowed to explore uncomfortable spaces. Some questioned the maturity of the characters. Others insisted that age gap relationships exist in the real world too and are often stable, loving and consensual. The conversation kept expanding until it became clear that the uproar was not about one story. It was about the changing expectations Indian readers now bring to books.
For many, this was the first time they saw such intense public conversation around a Bhagat title. But longtime followers of his work know that this is not the first moment where he has been at the center of both admiration and critique.
Bhagat has always stirred reactions
Chetan Bhagat’s career can be mapped by the waves of discussion each of his books has created. Some conversations praised him. Some critiqued him. But all of them mattered because they shaped the voice of a generation of readers who wanted something simple, emotional and grounded.
Five Point Someone
His debut novel changed the reading habits of millions of young Indians. It spoke openly about academic pressure, friendship and rebellion inside competitive institutions. It became a cultural symbol. Readers felt seen and understood. Critics felt the writing lacked literary refinement, but the sales numbers and the success of its movie adaptation “Three Idiots” say otherwise. The debate was loud enough to mark Bhagat as an author who belonged to the masses rather than the traditional literary elite.
The Three Mistakes of My Life
One of Bhagat’s most popular works. It was based on the theme of friendship, love and betrayal, and very delicately portrayed the Sabarmati Express attack in 2002 and the communal riots of Gujarat that followed. The book was highly acclaimed and was made into a movie “Kai Po Che”.
2 States
This book took a deeply relatable Indian experience and turned it into a conversation about love, culture and family. People across the country recognised themselves in the story of two individuals trying to unite not only their hearts but also their families. Readers embraced the emotional honesty. Some critics argued that the book reinforced stereotypes. But its impact was undeniable. It travelled from page to screen, as a movie by the same name and became one of the defining romantic stories of modern India.
Half Girlfriend
Perhaps one of his most debated titles, this book explored a relationship stuck in the uncertain space between friendship and love. The term “half girlfriend” took over social media. It became humorous slang. It became a point of discussion about boundaries and emotional clarity as many young readers related to the confusion. Others felt the storyline romanticised emotional dependency.
The Girl in Room 105
A surprising move into thriller territory, this novel showed a different side of Bhagat. Some readers liked the fresh direction. Some missed the emotional drama of his earlier books. The shift in genre became a talking point in itself. It proved that Bhagat was willing to experiment, even if the result did not satisfy everyone.
One Indian Girl
This book deserves special mention because it touched a topic rarely handled in mainstream Indian commercial fiction, and is mostly considered a taboo. It placed a successful, modern Indian woman at the center of the story and explored her work, relationships and inner conflicts. Many women appreciated the attempt as they felt seen in the protagonist’s ambition and her struggle to balance expectations. But the book also faced heavy criticism. Some felt that the female perspective did not feel fully authentic, and was in fact, what they called “an average man’s idea of what a successful woman is like”. Others believed Bhagat had taken an important step simply by choosing to write a story from that point of view. It became one of his most debated books for reasons entirely different from his usual controversies.
And now, 12 Years: My Messed Up Love Story
This novel returns to Bhagat’s home ground of messy romance and real world conflict. But the audience has changed. Today’s young readers speak the language of emotional boundaries, mental health and consent. They notice patterns that earlier generations may have ignored, or worse, even glorified as romance. They expect romance stories to reflect responsibility as well as passion. This shift is what fuels the intensity of the current debate.
Why readers cannot stop discussing it
12 Years: My Messed Up Love Story is not a standalone book that portrays such age gaps or dynamics. This is a trend commonly seen in international and Indian creations: show the woman as a thing of “innocence”, someone not capable of taking care of themself, someone fragile, and have an older, more powerful man who is charmed by the delicate nature of it all.
But as the audience shifts their focus towards emotional intelligence and healthy boundaries, all of this starts sounding problematic. Chetan Bhagat is not the connoisseur of problematic stories. He just chose to write this story at the wrong time.
If you want to come up with a book that readers discuss for all the good reasons, make sure you reach out to us at www.rollingauthors.com!
Key Takeaways
As with all storms, this one will settle too. But the conversations will stay. The book will find its readers. Some will read it with curiosity. Some will read it with criticism in mind. Some will skip it completely. And that is the nature of literature. It speaks differently to each person.
Whether you see 12 Years as a bold attempt, an emotional journey or a questionable portrayal, you cannot deny its impact. Once again, Chetan Bhagat has pulled the nation into discussion. And in a country where millions still love the magic of storytelling, that is always a moment worth paying attention to.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 12 Years: My Messed Up Love Story about?
The novel revolves around a romantic relationship between a divorced man in his thirties and a much younger woman in her early twenties. It explores love, emotional dependence or (co-dependence), and the complications that arise over time.
Does the book promote unhealthy relationships?
Readers are divided. Some believe the story unintentionally normalises unhealthy dynamics, while others argue that it simply depicts flawed human relationships without necessarily endorsing them.
Should readers avoid the book because of the controversy?
Not necessarily. Controversy does not automatically diminish a book’s value. Some readers may find it thought-provoking, while others may feel uncomfortable with its themes. The choice ultimately depends on individual comfort and curiosity.
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