First, let me clarify - that I am a fan of Chetan Bhagat, not because I’m his namesake, but because he is a superb writer who has influenced an entire generation.
Well, what’s the story like?
The story revolves around two boys and a girl of Varanasi. The boys are Raghav and Gopal and the girl is Aarti. While Raghav and Aarti come from fairly well-to-do families, Gopal comes from a very poor family. Raghav and Gopal are friends, yet competitors since school. Aarti is a friend of Gopal since childhood days, but they drift apart when Gopal moves to Kota to prepare for engineering entrance examinations, after having not succeeded the first time. Raghav joins IT-BHU, an elite institution in Varanasi and Aarti gets involved with him. However, Gopal does not do well in the entrance examination and looks around to join a private engineering college. At that time, he meets Shuklaji, a powerful politician with whose help he sets up a private engineering college. Gopal becomes very rich, while Raghav refuses a job with Infosys to follow his passion. Raghav becomes a scribe with a well known newspaper, but was thrown off from his job at the behest of Shuklaji for exposing his corrupt practises. He then starts his own newspaper, ’Revolution 2020’, which too runs into trouble. But his spirit is indomitable. Gopal manages to get back Aarti, but sacrifices his love and makes her go back to Raghav after he realizes Raghav’s greatness.
Why should everyone read this book?
First, it’s an easy read with an interesting story. It’s a very contemporary story and should appeal to the youth. The descriptions of Varanasi are just awesome. So, are the realistic descriptions of how the IIT JEE preparation centres in Kota are like factories. The interwind love story amidst the real issues - the pressures on today’s youth, their aspirations, the corruption is a perfect blend almost lke Johnny Walker Black Label.
Anything against?
I somehow didn’t like the ending that is a straight copy from the Amitabh Bachchan-Vinod Mehra-Rakhee starrer, ’Jurmana’, The ending could have been more appealing, like Gopal choosing to get involved in the crusade against corruption.
But overall, it’s a fabulous read - you don’t get such great books at such price.