New to Chetan Bhagat? Start Here.
If you’re looking for a simple, fun, and totally binge-worthy way to fall in love with reading, you probably could start with Chetan Bhagat books. Known for their easy language, relatable themes, and fast-paced storytelling, his books have converted millions of non-readers into page-turners across India. Whether you’re a beginner, someone who’s read just one or two of his novels, or a fan of desi dramas set in colleges, call centres, and small towns, this one’s for you.
Get a quick introduction to who Chetan Bhagat is, why he’s such a big deal in Indian pop culture, and discover seven of his most popular books—perfect for first-time readers or those looking to dive back in.
First, let’s begin with the man himself.
Chetan Bhagat is one of India’s most widely read English-language authors. A former investment banker turned full-time writer, he shot to fame in the early 2000s with his debut novel Five Point Someone, which became a massive campus phenomenon. It was even adapted into the superhit movie 3 Idiots. At a time when English novels were either too literary or too foreign, Bhagat offered something new—stories that felt like your own.
His books talk about real people, real places, and real problems—Indian families, young love, class divides, dreams vs tradition. He doesn’t use flowery language or complicated metaphors. That’s exactly what makes him so loved, especially by new readers or those intimidated by ‘serious’ books.
Over time, he became more than just a bestselling author—he became a voice of urban, middle-class India. With multiple books turned into Bollywood films, and a writing style that reads like a conversation with a friend, Bhagat continues to be the go-to author for anyone looking to start reading for fun.
A story of three engineering students struggling to survive at IIT, Five Point Someone is the ultimate college novel. It explores pressure, rebellion, friendship, and what happens when you mess with the system. Funny, honest, and painfully relatable for anyone who’s ever sat through a 3-hour exam without knowing the answers. If you loved the movie 3 Idiots, this is the book that inspired it.
Based on Bhagat’s own life, 2 States follows a Punjabi boy and a Tamil girl who fall in love and try to convince their very traditional parents to accept their marriage. It’s a rom-com with cultural chaos, awkward family dinners, and laugh-out-loud moments, lending itself perfectly to a Bollywood adaptation of the same name. A sharp take on India’s diversity and how love can sometimes need a lot more than just two people to work.
Madhav, a small-town Bihari boy, falls for Riya, an English-speaking girl from Delhi. But she doesn’t want a boyfriend. She’s okay being his “half girlfriend.” Strange? That’s kind of the point. Also adapted into a movie of the same name, this book is about language barriers, class conflict, and heartbreak—set against basketball courts and the streets of New York. Expect lots of emotions and a twisty plot.
Set in Ahmedabad, this book follows three friends trying to set up a cricket shop. It’s got everything—religion, politics, business, friendship, betrayal, and even an earthquake. This one’s darker and more layered, showing how small decisions can spiral into life-altering consequences. Also adapted into the film Kai Po Che.
Six people. One night. One life-changing phone call—from God. Yes, you read that right. This quirky novel takes place in a Gurgaon call centre where employees are stuck in boring jobs and messy relationships until something supernatural forces them to rethink their lives. A mix of satire, drama, and a hint of the absurd. The 2008 movie Hello was based on this book.
Love, corruption, ambition. This one’s set in Varanasi and centres on three childhood friends—two boys in love with the same girl, and a country that keeps failing its young. It’s Bhagat’s attempt to explore the broken education system and the blurred line between right and wrong. Serious but still very readable.
This book is written from a woman’s perspective—yes, by Bhagat. It follows Radhika Mehta, a high-flying investment banker trying to navigate her career, family expectations, and relationships. The book is Bhagat’s take on feminism, internalised guilt, and the pressure to ‘settle down’. It’s thought-provoking while staying breezy.
If you’re new to reading or just want something light yet engaging, Chetan Bhagat books are a great place to start. They’re not just stories—they’re reflections of the India we see around us. From college campuses to corporate chaos, from intercultural love to call centre meltdowns—he’s written it all in a way that’s fast, fun, and easy to relate to.
Find Chetan Bhagat books in Hindi and other Indian languages HERE
