Bollywood screenwriter claims lack of good scripts in India

Chetan Beghat, who wrote the screenplay for Salman Khan's Kick, says there is a shortage of writers in India.

The Indian author Chetan Bhagat at his home in Mumbai. Indranil Mukherjee / AFP

The Indian writer Chetan Bhagat, who wrote the screenplay of Salman Khan's Kick, which is now out in cinemas, has claimed that the film industry suffers a dearth of good scripts and writers.

“There are talented people in this industry. We have some good writers here. I feel there are some movies being made out of books, and there are movies that are also fresh. But there’s definitely a shortage of writers and good scripts,” says Bhagat. “You can’t order a good script and buy it … there is a big supply issue,” he added.

Four of Bhagat’s books have been made into films.

His bestselling novel 2 States: The Story of My Marriage was recently made into a film starring Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, and it struck a chord with audiences.

Two others also did well at the box office: 3 Idiots (based on Five Point Someone) and Kai Po Che! (based on The 3 Mistakes of my Life). The film Hello, inspired by Bhagat's One Night @ the Call Center, did not get a great reception.

Bhagat says he is impressed by Kick, which marked the debut of the producer Sajid Nadiadwala as a director.

"Sajid had bought the rights of 2 States and, after that, we became good friends. He called me to his office and said he is making Kick and would like me to be part of it.

“I was OK because I had not done a pure screenplay before. I didn’t know how it would all pan out, so on a gut feeling, and on a personal relationship, I said ‘yes’. When the promos came out, I was dazzled myself.”

* IANS