Chetan Bhagat is back in the romance arena after nearly a decade, and this time, he’s stirring the pot. In 12 Years: My Messed-up Love Story , Bhagat dives into a layered, unconventional narrative that mirrors the complexities of modern relationships. From age-gap dynamics to morally grey love stories, in an interview with The Free Press Journal, the bestselling author discusses why romance in India often sparks debate, how novels face harsher scrutiny than films, and why love—even when messy—deserves to be explored without judgment. In this candid conversation, Bhagat opens up about creative freedom, societal perceptions, and what readers can truly take away from his latest novel.

Excerpts from the interview:

You’re returning to the romance genre after almost a decade. What drew you b

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