So finally I got the opportunity to read the much talked about book, which turned out to be ‘of the Indians, for the Indians & by an Indian’ stuff.
The film begins to roll when the director shouts the three magical words, “Lights, Camera, Action”. And things begin to happen in India when three major issues are touched, ‘Religion, Politics & Cricket’.
Chetan Bhagat has written the story by attempting to exploit the three hot issues, which begins like a 20-20 match with Sehwag at the crease going bang-bang & ends with some big hits though not well timed that gives you a feeling of Harbhajan & Zaheer at the crease. But the bottom line is the score board keeps ticking & that’s what matters at the end of the day. But what happens between Sehwag & Harbhajan’s batting was a bit dragging at times.
The book will connect well with the young group as the main characters are not only young but are passionate & ambitious as well. The best thing about them is their vision & not their obsession with the religious issues, which can create havoc at times. That confirms the light at the end of the tunnel, which I hope is not of the incoming train that is going to run over my imagination. And if that happens, would it be my first mistake?
The call for more young blood in the political party in the name of Hinduism with a touch of hatred for the Muslims was well portrayed by the writer. The best part was the reluctance shown by the youth to join them, which again is a silver lining in the cloud, assuring better times ahead. A setback for the politicians? Am I too optimistic? I hope this is not my second mistake.
This book, which is supposed to be based on real life events, has all the ingredients of a masala entertainer. It has natural calamities, riots, friendship, romance, dreams, politics, religion, melodrama & above all cricket.
It’s a simple plot narrating the story of the ambitions of three friends amid the devastating earthquake that shatters their hopes & the unforgettable Godhra issue, which triggered the worst of riots that shook Gujarat & changed their lives.
Another important character is of a Muslim boy called Ali, whose presence in the story does touch the issues of religion & of course it tells you something about cricket as well. With the character of Ali Chetan Bhagat has brought alive the humanity amid religion. His protection by 3 Hindu youths from a mob trying to kill him because he is a Muslim though looked very filmy but still manages to show the human side of people.
Ali had the talent to hit any ball for a six & one of the friends wanted him to play for the country. His insistence to convince him to play, then train him & revolt against the rioters to save him, hits a six for sure. The game of cricket doesn’t know any religion. So if we have to believe in it then there should be more cricket to clear the so called hatred among the communities? Well, will this be my third mistake?
The beauty of the book lies in the simple narration as the writer tried his best to connect the earthquake & Godhra issues with the main characters. But after finishing the book, I felt that despite being worth a read, it lacked the punch as the writing did slack off at places.
Whatever said and done, this book does open few doors that were closed & gives the readers a chance to peep through only to find the answers to few of their unanswered questions.