'Salman playing me is cooler than the Booker'

"It is exciting that modern Indian stories are finding a place in bookstores and even doing well. We are no longer writing for western audiences," says Bhagat.

Chetan hit the bull's eye through his first novel 'Five point someone' which is a story of three IIT students who are unable to cope with the pressures of life. Now Munnabhai fame director Rajkumar Hirani is making '3 Idiots' on this with Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor in the lead, while Salman starrer ' Hello' is based on 'One night at a call centre' and slated for release on 10th October. He thinks that Bollywood is an ideal platform to reach the Hindi readers.

"For me Hindi readers are as classy as the English readers. Hindi is my country's language and if I don't reach reach the Hindi readers, I can not call myself an Indian writer. Bollywood is also an effort in the same direction. Don't forget I wrote the script of 'Hello' in Hindi," says Chetan.

Aamir, who is in his forties, is playing Ryan, a dare deviled student in 'Idiots' and the writer feels that the actor is extremely talented to carry off any role. "Aamir has defied his age in screen all the time. Raju (Hirani) has taken the story forward and Aamir suits the role," he says.

With two superstar 'Khans' are playing lead in films based on real life stories of Chetan, whom did he consider is closer to his persona.

"I think I oscillate between the two. However I am more like Salman than Aamir. I don't take it all too seriously. Don't be serious, be sincere is my mantra." says the investment banker, who lived in Hongkong for 11 years and came back to India this year only.

Unlike Kiran Desai, Arundhati Rai or other contemporary writers Chetan does not emphasis on the literal aspect but keen on maintaining the flow of the story. He is also adamant on not changing his style.

"I write simple books...