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

Good Music Has No Benchmarks: Manj Musik

Good Music Has No Benchmarks: Manj Musik
Known for creating a string of foot-tapping numbers like "Lak hilade","Mahi aaja" and "Singh and Kaur", singer and music composer Manjeet Ral, popular for his stage name Manj Musik, says good music is beyond frontiers and is constantly evolving.

Good Music Has No Benchmarks: Manj Musik

Salman Khan in Manali for 'Tubelight'

Salman Khan in Manali for 'Tubelight'
Besides shooting at Naggar, known for its quaint old houses, the film will have scenes of the majestic Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Lahaul-Spiti, and Solang Nullah

Salman Khan in Manali for 'Tubelight'

Emraan Hashmi Doesn't Believe In Comparisons

Emraan Hashmi Doesn't Believe In Comparisons
Actor Emraan Hashmi, often associated with steamy scenes, says he does not believe in comparisons and it's not fair to call an actor the 'next someone'.

Emraan Hashmi Doesn't Believe In Comparisons

KJO easiest person to work with: Pritam Chakraborty

Music composer Pritam Chakraborty, who has composed music for Karan Johar's "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", says that the filmmaker is one of the easiest persons to work with as gives enough space to everyone.

KJO easiest person to work with: Pritam Chakraborty

When Amitabh Bachchan Picked Up Brooms For A Maha Clean-Up

When Amitabh Bachchan Picked Up Brooms For A Maha Clean-Up
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Saturday picked up a broom here to acknowledge the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in Maharashtra.

When Amitabh Bachchan Picked Up Brooms For A Maha Clean-Up

Javed Akhtar Condemns Muslim Personal Law Board Over Triple Talaq issue

Acclaimed lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar, who is vocal about his thoughts, says he condemns the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) for justifying instant divorce system.

Javed Akhtar Condemns Muslim Personal Law Board Over Triple Talaq issue