The 3 Mistakes of My life
Chetan Bhagat is the author of four bestselling novels – Five Point Someone (2004), One Night the Call Center (2005), The 3 Mistakes of My Life (2008) and 2 States: The Story of My Marriage (2009).
Chetan’s books have remained bestsellers since their release, and have been adapted into major Bollywood films. The New York Times called him the ‘the biggest selling English language novelist in India’s history.’ Time magazine named him as one amongst the ‘100 Most Influential People in the world’ and Fast Company, USA, listed him as one of the world’s 100 most creative people in business.’
Chetan writes for leading English and Hindi newspapers, focusing on youth and national development issues. He is also a motivational speaker.
Chetan quit his international investment banking career in 2009, to devote his entire time to writing and make change happen in the country. He lives in Mumbai with his wife Anusha, an ex-classmate from IIM-A, and his twin sons Shyam and Ishaan.
Praise for previous work
Many writers are successful at expressing what’s in their hearts or articulating a particular point of view. Chetan Bhagat’s books do both and more.
– A R Rahman, in TIME magazine, on Chetan’s inclusion in the
Time 100 Most Influential People in the world
The voice of India’s rising entrepreneurial class.
– Fast Company Magazine, on Chetan’s inclusion in the
100 Most Creative People in business globally
India’s paperback king.
– The Guardian
The biggest-selling English-language novelist in India’s history.
– The New York Times
A rockstar of Indian publishing.
– The Times of India
Bhagat has touched a nerve with young Indian readers and acquired almost cult status.
– International Herald Tribune
Acknowledgements
My readers, you that is, to whom I owe all my success and motivation. My life belongs to you now, and serving you is the most meaningful thing I can do with my life. I want to share something with you. I am very ambitous in my writing goals. However, I don’t want to be India’s most admired writer. I just want to be India’s most loved writer. Admiration passes, love endures.
To Shinie Antony, a friend who has been with me all these years and who critically reviews my work and ensures that it is fit for my reader’s consumption. My family, which continues to support me in all my ventures. Specially, my brother Ketan Bhagat for his critical feedback from Sydney and cricket freak brother-in-law Anand Suryanaryan who told me more about cricket than anyone else would have.
The people of Gujarat, in particular Ahmedabad, where I spent some of the most wonderful and formative years of my life.
My publishers Rupa and Co, who have fulfilled all my dreams and continue to pursue the goal of making India read.
My friends in the film industry, who have given me a new platform to tell my stories from, and who teach me new things everyday, in particular Atul Agnihotri, Raju Hirani, Alvira Khan, Sharman Joshi, Vipul Shah, Imtiaz Ali, Shirish Kunder, Farah Khan and Salman Khan.
The Madras Players and Evam. Theatre Group, who turned my stories into wonderful plays.
My friends in the media, especially those who have understood my intentions for my country and are with me.
My colleagues at Deutsche Bank, my friends in Mumbai and Hong Kong.
God, who continues to look after me despite my flaws.
The 3 Mistakes of My Life is a heartwarming story of friendship, love, passion and ambition by Chetan Bhagat, bestselling author of Five Point Someone. Summary of the Book
The 3 Mistakes of My Life traces the lives of three close friends, Govind, Omi and Ishan, in Gujarat. It chronicles the delightful and tragic tale of these young men as they embark on a journey to find success in their lives and careers. Govind has forever cherished a dream of setting up his own business, while Omi and Ishaan have always been relatively laid back in life.
Together they start a cricket shop. Instead of focusing on the business, Ishaan aspires to mentor a gifted batsman, Ali. Omi, on the other hand, is not very opportunistic and ambitious and his only aim in life is to be there for his friends and support them in all their endeavors.
However, nothing comes easy in life especially when you are stuck in a city which is caught up in chaos and turmoil. To realize their dreams, the boys have to face the worst of the circumstances – communal riots, massive earthquake, religious politics, and above all they have to bear the brunt of all their mistakes. Will the boys be able to come out triumphant from this messy situation?
Three Mistakes of My Life was adapted into a movie called Kai Po Che! which was directed by Abhishek Kapoor.
One
India vs South Africa
4th ODI, Vadodra
17 March 2000
Over 45
‘Why the fuck did you have to move?’ Ishaan’s scream drowned out the stadium din on the TV. I had shifted up to a sofa from the floor.
‘Huh?’ I said. We were in Ishaan’s house – Ishaan, Omi and I. Ishaan’s mom had brought in tea and khakra for us. ‘It is more comfortable to snack on the sofa. That is why I moved.’
‘Tendulkar’s gone. Fuck, now at this stage. Omi, don’t you dare move now. Nobody moves for the next five overs.’
I looked at the TV. We were chasing 283 to win. India’s score a ball ago was 256-2 after forty-five overs. Twenty-seven runs in five overs, with eight wickets to spare and Tendulkar on the crease. A cakewalk. The odds were still in India’s favour, but Tendulkar was out. And that explained the frowns on Ishaan’s forehead.
‘The khakra’s crispy,’ Omi said. Ishaan glared at Omi, chiding him for his shallow sensory pleasure in a moment of national grief. Omi and I kept our tea cups aside and looked suitably mournful.
The crowd clapped as Tendulkar made his exit. Jadeja came to the crease and added six more runs. End of forty-six overs, India 262/3. Twenty-one more runs to win in four overs, with seven wickets in hand.
