Writer Chetan Bhagat confesses that he has the gift of understanding people and their motivations. "I like to find extraordinariness in the life of an ordinary person. I love being around people," says Chetan. It's no wonder then that his two previous books are based on people and the third, Three mistakes of my life, is also about three men and their experiences.

In the City recently, Chetan took time off to chat with Metrolife about his new project and about his previous two books being made into films.

"Three mistakes of my life" is about three Ahmedabad boys. The book is based on real events in Ahmedabad, but is presented in a fictionalised manner. "There's this trend in Gujarat where fathers prefer to marry off their daughters only to businessmen. The younger generation back in Gujarat are forced to think on similar lines," explains Chetan whose book is based on the same theme.

He chose the number three because apart from the story being about three boys and the protagonist making three mistakes, the book has three main themes — business, cricket and religion. "What's also fascinating is that the number three resembles 'Om', representing religion and when written in Roman numerals resembles a set of cricket wickets, tying in with the theme of the book," he reasons.

Chetan, who recently relocated to India, prefers to write in a simple and lucid style. He writes about whatever affects him. "I pick up anything that is challenging to write, and whatever I think will be enjoyable for my readers," says Chetan. He builds his stories around people and characters that influence him. On Indians writing in English? Chetan thinks that Indians have been writing in English for hundreds of years but recently the field has become more exciting. It is almost like Indian publishing has moved into a Twenty-twenty format.

"Whatever connects with the common man sells. Modern language and slang has crept into formal writing and I think this style appeals to a large audience," observes Chetan.

Chetan’s One Night at the Call Center is being made into a film titled, Hello and Five Point Someone which will go on floors in July is being made into Idiots, another Hindi film.

Chetan's love for Bangalore knows no bounds. He grabs any opportunity to fly down to the City. "This city is the face of new India. The country will be a better place with a few more Bangalores," he says.