Chiki Sarkar's review of Chetan Bhagat's 'Two States'

Chiki Sarkar's review of Chetan Bhagat's latest block-buster 'Two States' (Outlook, Jan. 25) was typical of critics running down works, which become a rage among readers, ostensibly for not coming up to one or the other literary benchmark. Every successful work has its intrinsic merits and need not emulate others. Nor it needs to be banned like Rushdie's or its creator to be exiled, like M.F.Husain in order to be recognized. A critic's job is not to look for what the work never claims to be but to approach and analyze it with empathy. Two States would remain a hit for the simple reason that readers can relate to different characters portrayed with keen observation and gentle sarcasm. Chetan Bhagat's narrative, from whichever couch it may emanate, is extremely interesting, entertaining and gripping, which makes the novel hilarious and simply 'unputdownable'. It is a pity Sarkar has been as petty as the makers of 3 Idiots were in acknowledging Bhagat's merit. The reviewer's attitude is reflective of the way Indians treat sex- enjoy it to the hilt but don't approve of it in public.