Sharjah International Book Fair: Chetan Bhagat speaks out on ‘mansplaining’ criticism over One Indian Girl

The Indian author, known for his breezy romantic novels, tries his hand at writing in a female voice.

In his latest book, One Indian Girl, author Chetan Bhagat tells the story from the point of view of a woman. Indranil Mukherjee / AFP

Chetan Bhagat returns to the Sharjah International Book Fair to discuss his latest novel One Indian Girl.

The Indian author, known for his breezy romantic novels, this time tries his hand at writing in a female voice.

The plot follows the experiences of Radhika Mehta, a successful urban Indian woman who cannot find Mr Right – because she is too smart and independent.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, critics were quick to dismiss the novel as arrogant, or another example of “mansplaining”. The latter criticism rankles Bhagat.

“I haven’t mansplained anything – the book doesn’t condescend [to] women or their problems,” he says. “Just because I am a man doesn’t mean I cannot write about women’s issues,” he says. “Isn’t it sexist to judge my work because of my gender?”

Bhagat’s case was not helped when he recently released a much-derided promotional video in which he told readers he had waxed his arms and legs to understand how women feel.

“This was just one of the things I wanted to experience, to describe body waxing in one of the chapters accurately,” Bhagat says.

An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology and Indian Institute of Management, Bhagat left behind a career in investment banking to pursue writing. His debut, Five Point Someone, sold more than two million copies. His five fiction and two non-fiction titles have sold more than 15 million copies, establishing him as India's most popular author.

He chalks up the popularity of his work to the “simplicity of the language and relevance of the stories that has always clicked with the youth”.

Bhagat says his latest story involved a fair bit of research, which included conversations with more than 100 women from all walks of life. He found it upsetting that they are often asked to choose between their career and family.

“If you tell someone to select between two things they like, it’s compromise, not a choice,” he says.

In the process of writing the book, Bhagat says he now understands how women think about men and why. He also admits that it caused him to look into his own failings as a man. “I may have hurt some women with my words and actions,” he admits.

• Chetan Bhagat appears at the Sharjah International Book Fair on Saturday, November 5, at 8.30pm. For details, visit www.sharjahbookfair.com