Wednesday, December 31, 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

Pritam Was 'Tensed' About Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Title Song But...

Pritam Was 'Tensed' About Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Title Song But...
From Shah Rukh Khan to director Aditya Chopra, the industry insiders have already given thumbs-up to Ae Dil Hai Mushkil title track but it is composer Pritam Chakraborty who says he was uncertain how the audience would react to the song.

Pritam Was 'Tensed' About Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Title Song But...

Mohenjo Daro Effect? Now, Disney to Focus On Hollywood in India

Mohenjo Daro Effect? Now, Disney to Focus On Hollywood in India
Having suffered losses in its recent Bollywood ventures, the Walt Disney India Company today said that it is shifting focus to driving the Hollywood movie slate in India. 

Mohenjo Daro Effect? Now, Disney to Focus On Hollywood in India

Why Is Farah Khan Doing Less Choreography

Why Is Farah Khan Doing Less Choreography
Choreographer-director Farah Khan says she finds all the songs "repetitive" these days -- the main reason she's almost stopped doing choreography in Bollywood.

Why Is Farah Khan Doing Less Choreography

'31st October' Not Made To Deliver Justice, Says Soha

'31st October' Not Made To Deliver Justice, Says Soha
Actress Soha Ali Khan, who is all set for the release of her long-delayed film "31st October", says it is not made to deliver justice.

'31st October' Not Made To Deliver Justice, Says Soha

Hema Malini hails MP government for maintaining Narmada river

Veteran actress and politician Hema Malini has hailed the government and people of Madhya Pradesh for maintaining the beauty of Narmada river.

Hema Malini hails MP government for maintaining Narmada river

Kunal Kapoor Didn't Get Culture Shock Working Down South

Despite it being his first non-Bollywood project, the actor says he didn't face any culture shock while working down South.

Kunal Kapoor Didn't Get Culture Shock Working Down South