The self hyped youth icon writer Chetan Bhagat seems to put a commendable effort to write his second novel One Night@ the Call Center. Setting the plot at a Call Center in Gugaon Chetan Bhagat tries to represent the life of the Indian youth work in this industry.
In the beginning of the novel the writer assigns a task to the reader that should get an answer by the time he/she finishes reading the book. The novel has a prologue in which the writer appears himself to sow the seed.
The later part of the story progresses through the eyes of Shyam whom Chetan Bhagat chooses to be the protagonist. The story progresses through the narration of Shyam that revolves around six Call center employees including him. The narration progresses smoothly, highlighting the main problems of youngsters in corporate sectors- Dissatisfaction in job, daunting boss, love failure, domestic problems, the Damocles’ sword of lay off and so on. Each one of them suffers either one or all these dilemmas until they chance meet to death face to face. It’s then they get the call from the God.
The call from the God certainly changes their lives. Their traumas in life find a way out and each one decides to write their own destiny. This is what I like the best in the book and what the God had suggested them for the success in life:
The fourth ingredient is the most painful one. And it is something that all of you still need to learn. Because it is often the most important thing,’ God said.
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‘....to be really successful, you must face failure. You have to experience it, feel it, taste it, suffer it. Only then can you shine.’ (p.233)
Also, the God tells them where to find him in need. Check inside yourself. If you’re hearing an inner voice that is none other’s but God’s own voice. The book was interesting till this point. Then all of sudden a miracle happened in Chetan Bhagat’s book also.
The later events in One Night@ the Call Center make the reader feel as if watching a Bollywood movie without any logic. When the characters toss each other telling that their normal talks are dramatic or cheesy or lame (p.261); the plot itself turned to be so dramatic. For instance, I can’t imagine people applaud a couple who created a scene and made a traffic block in the peak hours in a metro road. Chetan Bhagat has excused himself of the appearance of God to him by giving the reader the right to choose. I seriously doubt that Chetan Bhagat was planning to make this novel as movie as he reached the final chapters.
Chetan Bhagat intends to represent a major share of the present youngsters in India through this novel. However after reading the novel, I felt that he seems to represent the young men of India through this novel. His view on the lady characters in this novel is partial at times and loss total understanding. ‘Hello, what’s he trying to do?’ That’s exactly what I thought after reading some scenes in this novel.
The adaption of theme from areas unfamiliar to him, must have failed him at times. May be his attempt to successfully narrate the entire story in a short time span of 11 hours, must have put pitfalls in the plot. Definitely, this is not a great work from the writer who has written better books like Five Point Someone and 2 States. As a reader, I appreciate his genuine interest in reviving the Indian youth and his reader friendly writing style. But from the point of view from a literature lover, Chetan Bhagat has a long way to go.. .
Afterword: For the first time I might sound slightly scornful in my views. I am sorry but couldn’t help it!
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