MAM
Ek Tha Chetan to be Bhagat’s next book
Mumbai: India’s bestseller author Chetan Bhagat spills the tea about why self-Googling is like cyber masturbating, ChatGPT writing the summary of his next plot and why you shouldn’t confuse media attention with love in Sumedha’s sensational podcast Bluntly Streaming this week
“I never became a writer to change the world. I wanted to make enough money to afford to treat his friends with pizzas and Hot Chocolate Fudge at Nirula’s. I took the investment banker role only to make money,” he said. At work, all that he wanted was a 10 percent hike at work but his horrible boss deprived him of it. “I quit and during the break wrote my first book and the rest is history,” said India’s bestselling author in Sumedha’s sensational podcast Bluntly Streaming this week. In the podcast, Sumedha dives deep into the minds and lives of influential figures and captures Chetan in his wackiest best.
While talking about the memorable moment of being featured in Time’s 100 Influential Indians, Chetan recalled how his horrible boss said in his appraisal that he had ‘poor communication skills’. The writer said that he followed the LBDN mantra – Look Busy Do Nothing – when he was under a horrible boss, which resulted in his first book.
Sumedha then veers the conversation towards the news about Chetan’s cyber presence. Has he ever Googled himself? “That’s like cyber masturbation. Yes, one has to be aware of their image all the time,” he said.
What’s the toughest part about being an author, Sumedha asked. He said, “Dealing with rejections as each rejection is like a slap,”. Chetan talks about spending two years writing his debut work, two in publishing it and in the end left with no enthusiasm to actually promote the book.
In a moment of reflection, Chetan shares the importance of authenticity and acceptance, acknowledging that not everyone will like you, and that’s okay. He confesses to his unhealthy relationship with food and the pressures of maintaining a public image in the age of social media.
The conversation takes a poignant turn as Chetan discusses relationships and marriage. He confesses to having a strained relationship with his father which is reflected in the book 2 States. He also went on to say that he is blessed with a supportive partner. Is their’s a Rab Ne Bana De Jodi, Sumedha asked. “Rab jodi bana tha hai par kaam toh hamey karna hai,”
Adding her sparkling wit and wry humor, Sumedha extracts sensational answers from Chetan about deep fakes, 70-hour work weeks, influencer Orry and what made him move from heartbreak to homicide in his book trajectory. Sumedha throws a Googly at him asking him what his pen name would have been if he were to ghostwrite a book. “Majnu perhaps,” he says. Make it Chetana, she helpfully suggests. The author also talks about how he struggles to stay normal and disconnected from his phone to be able to sleep well and be at his creative best for his next book.
As the podcast draws to a close, Chetan Bhagat leaves listeners with a glimpse into his next literary endeavor, teasing titles like “Chetan ki Chethana” or “Ek tha Chetan.” Sumedha prods him about his relationship with the media – from being an eye candy to an eye sore. Chetan warns: Media attention is not love, you are just content for the media.
In the end, “Bluntly Streaming” offers not just a glimpse into the life of Chetan Bhagat but a mirror reflecting the universal struggles and triumphs we all face. With his trademark blend of honesty and humor, Chetan reminds us that while success may be fleeting, the journey itself is where true fulfillment lies. Bluntly Streaming is currently streaming on all video and audio streaming networks.
Brands
KKR sixes to power EV charger rollout under VIDA campaign
Cricket meets clean mobility as big hits spark India’s charging growth
NEW DELHI: VIDA, the electric mobility arm of Hero MotoCorp, has teamed up with Kolkata Knight Riders to launch a campaign that turns cricketing flair into real-world impact.
Titled ‘6 for 6’, the initiative promises to install a 6kW fast EV charger for every six hit by KKR during the ongoing Indian Premier League season. The idea is simple but powerful, as each big hit on the field contributes directly to expanding India’s fast-charging infrastructure.
The campaign builds on VIDA’s growing network, which already spans over 5,300 fast-charging points across more than 430 cities. With EV adoption gaining pace, the brand is using cricket’s mass appeal to accelerate both awareness and infrastructure growth.
Explaining the thinking behind the move, Hero MotoCorp emerging mobility business unit chief business officer Kausalya Nandakumar said, “Cricket has an incredible ability to unite and inspire millions across the country. With the ‘6 for 6’ campaign, we are turning every big hit on the field into a step towards a cleaner and a more accessible mobility future.”
She added that VIDA’s expanding fast-charging network and removable battery technology are designed to make EV ownership more convenient and practical for everyday users.
From the franchise’s side, the campaign is also about giving on-field moments a larger purpose. Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive officer Venky Mysore said, “The ‘6 for 6’ campaign exemplifies the potential of sport as a platform for meaningful, real-world impact. By linking every six to the expansion of EV charging infrastructure, this partnership transforms fan excitement into tangible progress.”
As part of the rollout, VIDA has introduced co-branded charging stations in KKR’s signature colours, with a flagship installation unveiled alongside team players. The chargers are designed for quick top-ups, powering VIDA scooters from zero to 80 percent in about an hour, while also being positioned along key highways to support longer journeys.
The initiative also taps into VIDA’s removable battery system, which allows users to charge using standard household plug points, adding flexibility to the charging ecosystem.
By blending the thrill of cricket with the urgency of clean mobility, VIDA and KKR have found a neat way to make every six count twice, once on the scoreboard and again on India’s road to an electric future.
