Perception among College Students and Young Professionals: Chetan Bhagat’s Narratives

Abstract

The works of Chetan Bhagat have generated unprecedented popularity among college students and young professionals in contemporary India, marking a significant shift in the reading culture of Indian English fiction. Positioned at the intersection of popular literature and socio-cultural commentary, Bhagat’s narratives resonate strongly with youth who identify with his themes of academic pressure, career aspirations, romantic dilemmas, and generational conflict. This paper examines the reception of Bhagat’s novels among college students and young professionals, analyzing how his accessible language, relatable characters, and contemporary settings contribute to their widespread appeal. It further explores the role of Bhagat’s fiction in shaping youth discourse on ambition, success, and identity in post-liberalization India. By situating reader reception within the broader framework of youth culture, consumerism, and middle-class aspirations, the study argues that Bhagat’s popularity reflects the socio-psychological realities of a generation negotiating global opportunities alongside traditional constraints. The paper also considers critical responses that question the literary merit of his works, juxtaposing them with the enthusiastic acceptance among young readers. The reception of Bhagat’s narratives reveals the emergence of a new readership in India—urban, aspirational, and culturally hybrid—whose literary preferences are shaped by relevance, readability, and emotional relatability rather than classical literary aesthetics.