This Presentation incorporate how one can see Post-modernist elements in Chetan Bhagat's Novels.

2. Beyond Bestsellers:
Unpacking Postmodern
Elements in Chetan
Bhagat's Works

3. Academic Information
● Name: Drashti Joshi
● Roll No: 05
● Sem: 4 [M.A.]
● Enrolment Number: 4069206420220016
● Batch: 2022-2024
● Paper Code: 22414
● Paper Number: 207
● Paper Name: Contemporary Literature in English
● submitted To: Smt S.B.Gardi, Department of
English, M.K.B.U.
● E-Mail: drashtijoshi582@gmail.com

4. TABLE OF CONTENTS
01
04
02
05
03
06
Introduction What is
Postmodernism?
Chetan Bhagat as
Postmodern Writer:
Postmodern
Aspects in Chetan
Bhagat’s works:
Critical Analysis of
Chetan Bhagat's
Novels
Conclusion

5. Introduction
Chetan Bhagat emerges as a pivotal figure in the realm of postmodern Indian
English literature, heralding a new era marked by his unique brand of
storytelling. While traditional literary circles may not shower him with
prestigious awards, his influence permeates the cultural landscape,
resonating deeply with college students and readers alike across India.
Bhagat's narratives deftly navigate the complexities of contemporary Indian
society, infusing his works with a potent blend of humor and candid
reflections on harsh realities.
Through his writing, he challenges conventional notions of literature's
purpose, asserting that its role is to reflect and critique society. Bhagat's
embrace of the present moment, coupled with his adept handling of real-life
situations, positions him as a torchbearer of postmodernism in Indian
literature. His works embody key postmodern elements such as pastiche,
intertextuality, and reader involvement, offering readers a fresh perspective
on familiar themes and experiences. (BARMAN,)

6. What is Postmodernism?
● Postmodern literature is a form of literature which is marked, both stylistically and
ideologically, by a reliance on such literary conventions as fragmentation, paradox,
unreliable narrators, often unrealistic and downright impossible plots, games, parody,
paranoia, dark humor and authorial self-reference. (Avula)
● Post modernity has two important elements, one is informational mode of improvement and
the second is social and cultural transformation. With the help of these two elements,
post-modernity came into India. (Radha)
● Postmodern literature likewise regularly rejects the boundaries among 'high' and 'low' types
of art and literature, just as the refinements between various classifications and types of
composing and narrating.
● Postmodernism is a difficult term or set of ideas, one that has only appeared as an
area of theoretical study since the mid a 1980.Postmodernism is hard to describe
because it is a concept that appears of study, containing art, architecture, music, film,
literature, sociology, communication, fashion and technology. It hard to locate it
temporally or traditionally because it’s not clear exactly when Postmodernism starts.(Avula)

7. Chetan Bhagat as Postmodern Writer:
● Chetan Bhagat was born on 22nd of April, 1974. He is a famous Indian author, a
motivational speaker, screenplay writer and a columnist. In each and every work he has
highlighted many concerns of youths that are, the problem and miseries, hopes and
aspiration of the youth. (BARMAN and TIWARI)
● As on date he has compiled six fictions and two non-fictions and in fact in every work he
has highlighted his profound concern for the youth of today; i.e. the problems and
despairs, hopes and aspirations of the youth. In Spite of dealing with the unsympathetic
realities of life his works administer to retain the pure sense of humor.
● Chetan Bhagat is an illuminating presence in the postmodern Indian fiction which rotates
round expectations and gives up, grins and tears, fears and cheers, bliss and distress,
desire and tribulation, love and detachment of the young people of new India.
● With his vivacious and clever method for portraying stories, he has supported the
propensity for perusing in numerous youthful Indians. As indicated by him, books are ideal
gadgets for the two motivations and diversion and through which he spreads his
perspectives and feeling about society and youth. (BARMAN and TIWARI)

8. As a postmodernist in his works, he clearly highlighted the success and failures of
the young generation in the present postmodern era. Today many people have not
like for reading the novels on the cost may be the use of too hi-fi language by the
writers when they produce a literary work. Bhagat’s writings are very simple and the
grammar that he used in his stories can be easily understood. (M and R)
Chetan’s style of writing is simple, lucid and vivid with graphic descriptions and linear
narratives. He has written six novels and two non –fictions which are best-seller like
Five Point Someone (2004), One Night @ the Call Centre(2005), The Three Mistakes
of My Life (2008), 2 States (2009), and Revolution 2020(2011), Half Girlfriend (2014),
and non-fiction What Young India Wants (2012) One Indian Girl (2016). (Pareek)

9. Postmodern Aspects in Chetan Bhagat’s works:
● Fragmentation: Bhagat's narratives often feature fragmented storytelling,
with multiple perspectives and nonlinear timelines, reflecting the
disjointed nature of modern life and identity.
● Parody and Satire: Through humor and exaggeration, Bhagat critiques
societal norms, cultural stereotypes, and institutional structures,
employing parody and satire to highlight absurdities and contradictions
within Indian society.
● Intertextuality: Bhagat subtly references and parodies cultural texts,
literary works, and popular culture within his novels, enriching the reading
experience for those familiar with the source material and inviting readers
to engage with the text on multiple levels.

10. ● Metafiction: Bhagat occasionally breaks the fourth wall, with characters
addressing the reader directly or commenting on the fictional nature of
their experiences, blurring the lines between reality and fiction and
prompting readers to reflect on the nature of storytelling itself.
● Temporal Distortion: Bhagat plays with the timeline of events,
incorporating flashbacks and nonlinear storytelling techniques,
mirroring the fragmented nature of memory and perception in
contemporary life.
● Magical Realism: While grounded in reality, Bhagat's works often
contain elements of magical realism, such as larger-than-life characters
or surreal occurrences, challenging readers to question the boundaries
between the ordinary and the extraordinary.

11. Postmodern elements in his works:
● Chetan Bhagat's debut novel, "What Not to Do at IIT," offers a satirical yet
poignant portrayal of life at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology
Delhi during the early 1990s. Through the lens of protagonist Hari Kumar
and his friends Ryan Oberoi and Alok Gupta, Bhagat explores the
struggles of students grappling with the rigid grading system and
uninspiring teaching methods prevalent in the institution.(Avula)
● The narrative humorously delves into the trio's attempts to navigate
academic challenges while also navigating personal relationships,
notably Hari's involvement with Neha Cherian, the daughter of a
formidable professor.
● In “Five Point Someone,” Chetan Bhagat incorporates postmodernist
elements such as fragmentation in narrative style, parody and satire of
academic culture, intertextual references, metafictional moments,
temporal distortion, and hints of magical realism. These elements add
depth and complexity to the novel, engaging readers in a multifaceted
exploration of the IIT experience and broader themes of education and
identity.(Avula)

12. - "One Night @ the Call Center" by Chetan Bhagat, published in 2005, broke new ground
in Indian literature, resonating deeply with young readers and attaining almost cult status.
(RODRIGUES)
- "One Night @ the Call Center" revolves around six employees at a call center in
Gurgaon, India, highlighting the anxieties and insecurities of the rising middle class.
- Themes include career struggles, inadequacy, marriage, and family conflicts, reflecting
the challenges of postmodern Indian society.
- The story unfolds during a significant night when the characters receive a phone call
from God, injecting elements of romance, comedy, and existential introspection.
- The phone call from God serves as a unique narrative device, offering guidance and
motivation to the characters as they navigate their challenges.
- Bhagat introduces a spiritual interlude and modernism into the narrative with the
surprising intervention of a phone call from God on Shyam's phone. (Dubey)
- The novel underscores the importance of resilience and strategic thinking in
overcoming adversity, with protagonist Shyam emerging as a symbol of empowerment
as he takes control of his destiny. (Avula)

13. - Chetan Bhagat's "Two States" depicts cultural differences between
characters from North and South India, reflecting the diverse culture of
the nation.
- Bhagat's works are characterized by realism in themes like marriage,
work, and relationships, offering a glimpse into Indian life.
- The novel portrays the postmodernist idea of challenging traditional
norms and seeking alternative principles of composition.
- The story follows Krish and Ananya's struggle to reconcile their cultural
differences and succeed in their relationship.
- The narrative explores themes of love, commitment, and parental
acceptance, highlighting the changing mindsets of both younger and
older generations in multicultural India. (Sumathi)
-Additionally, it symbolically addresses contemporary concerns such as
multiculturalism and social integration, advocating for a balanced
approach to reconcile conflicting values in modern Indian society. (Usha Rani
and Yadav)

14. ● Revolution 2020: Love, Corruption, Ambition" by Chetan Bhagat, published in
2011, delves into themes of love triangle, corruption, and self-discovery,
particularly highlighting the exploitation of aspiring engineering students by
private coaching institutions for exams like IIT JEE.
● The narrative revolves around two friends, Gopal and Raghav, who become
estranged due to their divergent ambitions and passions but are linked by their
affection for the same girl, Aarti.(Avula)
● The novel underscores the importance of determination, persistence, initiative,
and commitment in achieving success, as depicted through the characters'
journeys of self-discovery and personal growth. (Dubey)
● The novel delves into the complexities of contemporary Indian society,
addressing a myriad of challenges including poverty, unemployment, corruption,
violence against women, communal violence, religious fundamentalism, and
illiteracy.
● Through the characters' journeys, Bhagat emphasizes the importance of strong
willpower, sincere persistence, and courageous initiative as key ingredients for
success in life, reflecting overarching themes of resilience and determination in
the novel. (BARMAN and TIWARI)

15. Critical Analysis of Chetan Bhagat's Novels
● Chetan Bhagat, a popular Indian author known for his fiction writing, has penned six
novels and one non-fiction book, focusing on the aspirations and concerns of today's
youth.
● Despite being praised for resonating with readers and addressing significant societal
issues like casteism and corruption, Bhagat's work often faces criticism for cliched
plots and characters.
● His debut novel "Five Point Someone: What Not to Do at IIT" gained immense
popularity, influencing the blockbuster film "3 Idiots", while subsequent works like "2
States" and "Revolution 2020" received mixed responses.
● Bhagat's novels often reflect his own experiences, particularly in educational
settings like IIT Delhi, but this also limits the scope of his imagination.
● Through themes like marriage dilemmas in "One Indian Girl" and corruption in
"Revolution 2020", Bhagat attempts to portray the struggles and choices faced by
middle-class youth, though opinions on his writing prowess remain divided. (Gupta)

16. Conclusion
Chetan Bhagat writes stories where characters make their own choices,
unlike older stories where they mostly followed what their parents or
bosses said. Bhagat believes young people should think for themselves
and not just do what they're told.
He says that if everyone always listened to their parents, humanity
wouldn't progress. Looking at Bhagat's books from a modern perspective,
we see a big gap between generations because of technology. It's not
about parents being wrong, but whether their advice fits the modern
world, which is something we need to think about carefully.
He puts the realities hilariously and sarcastically spellbinding the readers.
His writings have picked up the best inheritance of refined postmodernism
literature by changing the perspective of everyone.

17. Avula, Pavanisasidhar. “(PDF) Post Modern aspects in the works of Chetan Bhagat.”
ResearchGate, 28 July 2016,
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305684320_Post_Modern_aspects_in_the_works_of
_Chetan_Bhagat. Accessed 31 March 2024.
BARMAN, PANKAJ KUMAR, and Dr. RUCHI MISHRA TIWARI. “A POSTMODERN ASSESSMENT IN
THE FICTIONAL WORKS OF CHETAN BHAGAT.” RJELAL, 9 November 2017,
http://rjelal.com/7.3.19/148-151%20PANKAJ%20KUMAR%20BARMAN.pdf. Accessed 31 March
2024.
Dubey, Shambhavi. “POSTMODERN ASPECTS IN THE WORKS OF CHETAN BHAGAT.” IJCRT.org,
6 June 2023, https://ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT2306029.pdf. Accessed 31 March 2024.
Gupta, Poonam. “JOURNAL OF LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTIC STUDIES Cultural Impact In
Chetan Bhagat's Revolution 2020 In A Postmodern Perspective.” Journal of Language and
Linguistic Studies, https://www.jlls.org/index.php/jlls/article/download/4757/1545. Accessed
31 March 2024.
M, Karthik, and Muruugan R. “POSTMODERN ISSUES REFLECTED IN CHETAN BHAGAT'S FIVE
POINT SOMEONE.” YMER, 17 March 2023, https://ymerdigital.com/uploads/YMER220391.pdf.
Accessed 31 March 2024.
References

18. Pareek, Naween Kumar. “Post Modern Youth Sensibility in Chetan Bhagat’s One Night @
the Call Center.” 'Journal of Research & Development', 9 November 2017,
https://zenodo.org/record/6976756/files/4.pdf. Accessed 31 March 2024.
Radha, and Dr. Premalatha C. “Post-Modern elements in the novels of Chetan Bhagat.”
ijellh, https://ijellh.com/index.php/OJS/article/view/4570/4005. Accessed 31 March
2024.
RODRIGUES, DR.JOSEPH. “CHETAN BHAGAT’S ONE NIGHT @ THE CALL
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March 2024.