Tuesday, December 30, 2025
ADVT 
Bollywood

Chetan Bhagat Predicts Twitter Will Suffer And Die In 5 Years

IANS, 17 Oct, 2016 12:17 PM
  • Chetan Bhagat Predicts Twitter Will Suffer And Die In 5 Years
Often the target of abuse on social media, author Chetan Bhagat hit out at "cyber bullies" saying that Twitter was in fact the "graveyard of bullies".
 
"Trolls have made Twitter negative to a point where celebrities have stopped talking much on the platform," he said claiming that action of those on social media who target celebrities stemmed from a "mob-like mentality".
 
Mr Bhagat also claimed that the presence of trolls - someone who leaves an intentionally annoying message on the internet, in order to get attention or cause trouble - was forcing celebrities to shift to other social media platforms like Instagram.
 
Predicting the end of the widely popular short messaging service, Mr Bhagat said: "I think Twitter is going to suffer and in five years it will close down like Orkut and Myspace. People are moving to platforms like Instagram, because of all the negativity on Twitter."
 
However, Mr Bhagat himself continues to remain active on Twitter, with 9 million followers. He explained he only does so for promotion of his books, and not for sharing his personal views anymore.
 
 
"Only writers and media persons are there on Twitter, all the celebrities have disappeared. When I release a book I go there (Twitter) knowing that the medium is like a minefield and it has only become negative. People use my name to write negative comments and get a few laughs, so I also use it for publicity," he said.
 
 
Not all of his efforts at promoting his books, though, seem to have worked.
 
When he asked people to post images of latest work - One Indian Girl -against beautiful settings many mocked him by posting insulting photos.
 
Some posted images of Mr Bhagat's book on a weighing scale, with old newspapers and magazines in balance. Others superimposed the cover of his book in the hands of ISIS terrorists about to execute hostages, and forcing others to read the book.
 
The 42-year-old author said social media for him remains a place where free speech must be cherished.  
 
"Writers are supposed to say what they feel is right. Sometimes it could be pro, sometimes anti- government.  Writers who say I am only going to take an anti-government position are stupid. If it a corrupt government I will criticize it. When it acts against terrorists it has all my support," he said.

MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

Coldplay To Headline First Global Citizen Festival In India

Coldplay To Headline First Global Citizen Festival In India
British rock band Coldplay has been confirmed to headline the debut edition of the Global Citizen Festival on November 19 in Mumbai. The organisers have refuted reports that tickets for the fest have been set at astronomical prices.

Coldplay To Headline First Global Citizen Festival In India

Arjun, Shraddha Dance Bollywood Style In New York

Arjun, Shraddha Dance Bollywood Style In New York
Actor Arjun Kapoor says he has ticked dancing Bollywood style on the streets of New York off from his bucket list.

Arjun, Shraddha Dance Bollywood Style In New York

Why Vikram Bhatt has taken web route to tell stories

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt says directors sometimes can't tell stories they want to due to economic pressures and demands of producers or actors. And so he finds the web to be a great space.

Why Vikram Bhatt has taken web route to tell stories

Emraan Hashmi visits Mother House

Emraan Hashmi visits Mother House
Actor Emraan Hashmi who will be seen in the forthcoming film "Raaz Reboot" paid tribute to Saint Teresa at the Mother House here on Saturday.

Emraan Hashmi visits Mother House

Kapil Sharma Asked To Pay Rs 5 Lakh Bribe Tweets To PM Modi, 'Is This Achhe Din?'

Kapil Sharma Asked To Pay Rs 5 Lakh Bribe Tweets To PM Modi, 'Is This Achhe Din?'
I am paying Rs 15 crore income tax from last five years and still I have to pay Rs 5 lakh bribe to BMC office (every year) for making my office. Is this your 'Achhe Din'?

Kapil Sharma Asked To Pay Rs 5 Lakh Bribe Tweets To PM Modi, 'Is This Achhe Din?'

Manj Musik In Talks With Kylie Jenner For 'Supermodel' Single

Manj Musik In Talks With Kylie Jenner For 'Supermodel' Single
Manj, whose real name is Manjeet Ral, also plans to surprise everyone by making Jenner sing a few lines in Hindi. 

Manj Musik In Talks With Kylie Jenner For 'Supermodel' Single