R. Madhavan and Chetan Bhagat got into a banter-filled Twitter exchanges in which the actor seemed subtly roasting the author. It all began on Monday with Netflix India asking people to pick between books and movies.
Bhagat replied to the thread, saying: "My books, and the movies based on them."
My books, and the movies based on them https://t.co/kqSwHMbfxn
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) December 20, 2021
It caught Madhavan's eye, who replied: "Hey Chetan…My bias is movies > books."
You’re flaunting 3 Idiots to ME? Don’t try to preach to the choir, maybe you should go actually read my books https://t.co/hwwgvuDqOa
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) December 20, 2021
Soon a hilarious war-of-words commenced between the two on the micro-blogging website.
To Madhavan's message, Bhagat's reply read: "Have you ever heard anyone ever say the movie is better than the book?"
"Yes! 3 Idiots," pat came the reply from Madhavan replied, who referred to the 2009 blockbuster he starred in, based on Bhagat's maiden best-seller titled Five Point Someone.
HAHAHAHAHA, what an unsubtle plug, maybe it’s just me, I prefer a Pulitzer over a pan masala branded award show. https://t.co/fdJb7RZBuF
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) December 20, 2021
Well I prefer the 300 Crore Club over Bestseller. https://t.co/PA6f7pz0oe
— Ranganathan Madhavan (@ActorMadhavan) December 20, 2021
"Well I prefer to be known as Chetan Bhagat over being known as Farhan from that one movie," Bhagat said.
"I'm not known just as Farhan. I'm also known as Manu from Tanu Weds Manu, Kartikh from Alaipayuthey, and my favourite, Maddy kyunki mein rehta hoon sab ke dil mein," Madhavan said.
I'm not known just as Farhan. I'm also known as Manu from Tanu Weds Manu, Kartikh from Alaipayuthey, and my favourite, Maddy kyunki mein rehta hoon sab ke dil mein. https://t.co/DL6GlB5puQ
— Ranganathan Madhavan (@ActorMadhavan) December 20, 2021
The banter went on till night, when Madhavan finally disclosed that the exchanges were "scripted".
WOW, if this was your writing test, I'd say you passed. But honestly what did you think about my Netflix debut? https://t.co/KxJ2Faars2
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) December 20, 2021
I would say just like your books, you are also better on the big screen! Hahahahaha.. actually you were Brilliant bro. https://t.co/NziHuMWQte
— Ranganathan Madhavan (@ActorMadhavan) December 20, 2021
Hey if course it’s scripted ... @chetan_bhagat is my bro… we are just doing the publicity drill. https://t.co/DoRe3ud2Xy
— Ranganathan Madhavan (@ActorMadhavan) December 20, 2021
u bro! https://t.co/ngRRM2DFwC
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) December 20, 2021
Madhavan and Bhagat are currently seen on Netflix's series Decoupled. It also stars Surveen Chawla.