Published Paper Details:

This paper explores Chetan Bhagat's role as a defining voice in contemporary Indian English literature, analyzing his language, narrative style, and cultural impact. Bhagat has transformed the landscape of Indian fiction by making English accessible to mass audiences through his simplified style, often described as "English like Hindi." His works resonate with the aspirations and anxieties of India's middle-class youth, reflecting themes such as academic struggles, inter-caste relationships, gender dynamics, and the challenges of neoliberal society. Unlike earlier Indian English writers who catered to global or elite readerships, Bhagat deliberately writes for the masses, embedding everyday speech, humor, satire, and relatable themes into his novels. His fast-paced, cinematic storytelling style ensures wide appeal, while film adaptations further amplify his cultural presence. This study also situates Bhagat within the rise of commercial fiction in India, highlighting his influence on emerging writers and popular culture. His work demonstrates the indigenization of English literature by blending global forms with local contexts, while his public persona as a columnist and motivational speaker extends his influence beyond literature into media and politics. Despite criticism for oversimplification and commercialization, Bhagat's contributions cannot be dismissed; his works democratize Indian English fiction, ensuring that it speaks to ordinary readers while reflecting broader cultural shifts. The paper argues that Bhagat's language and narrative style mark him as both a cultural icon and a literary trendsetter, bridging the divide between high literature and popular fiction in twenty-first-century India.