Chetan Bhagat does a good job in building up the love story while also making sure that the 12 years age gap doesn’t come across as cringeworthy. The conversations between the hero and the heroine have a good flow with well-established personalities. Mention must also be made of how Chetan Bhagat integrates different issues through a romantic drama. The novel though needed much a much better edit and a cut down on staple Bollywood elements
Most of Chetan Bhagat’s novels come across as a pitch for producers. Whether it’s the autobiographical novel 2 States or Half Girlfriend, Revolution 2020 and now 12 Years (My Messed- Up- Love Story). Chetan Bhagat’s latest follows the journey of the 33-year-old Saket Khuranna and a 21-year-old Payal Jain. Saket is recovering from the emotional wounds of a divorce while trying to chart a new career path of standup comedy. Payal Jain on the other hand is a young woman stepping into the corporate world. How the paths of these two cross and the various tribulations they go through with a happy ending forms the core of Chetan Bhagat’s latest.
As already mentioned Chetan Bhagat does a good job in building up the love story. The dilemmas which both go through before taking the big leap has been well written. What also helps the love story is the integration of hero’s standup comedy profession. This acts as a building block for Payal’s attraction as she finds Saket unique. How her presence helps Saket in navigating the emotional wounds of the first marriage makes the readers root for the couple. The novel’s ending with the two having a happy ending in a standup comedy act leaves the viewers in a happy mood.
Up until midway point the novel has a smooth flow especially for those who are acquainted with Chetan Bhagat’s style of love stories. A mention too must be made of the portion where the two are caught in the middle of a sexual act. It’s both laugh out funny as well as tragic.
However, once the separation sets in the novel follows a set template. Saket almost becomes a Devadas slipping into depression. He has also a major fall resulting in hospital treatment. The reactions of Saket is definitely understandable given his love for Payal and what she means to him, but these portions overstay their welcome.
This is where the staple Bollywood elements kick in whether it’s parental opposition, separation and destiny bringing them back together. Hopefully these elements are toned down if the novel is made into a movie.
Keeping aside these things, Chetan Bhagat deserves appreciation for how he has integrated various societal aspects. Some of these include gender-based divorce laws from the perspective of men and the demands of unreasonable maintenance. Also, how society looks at age gaps along with the community aspect has come out well.
Final word: 12 Years (My Messed Up Love Story) is worth reading for fans of romantic fiction and also those who have grown on Chetan Bhagat novels.
