What it's about
It's about three people, two guys and a girl — Gopal the protagonist (the underdog who hails from a poor family), Aarti (the pretty girl and Gopal's best friend) and Raghav (the overachiever, Gopal's frenemy).
The story takes you back in time to when Gopal meets the other two in primary school. By the time they're seventeen though, the two become best friends, Raghav being just a mutual friend.
Predictably, Gopal falls hard for Aarti, but she isn't interested in him. Though dejected at first, he decides to get into a good engineering college to make money, become successful and get the girl. Gopal doesn't make it into an engineering college, while Raghav does. To make things worse, Aarti falls for him and they start dating. The urge to outshine Raghav and become the more successful person consumes Gopal. He gets sucked into the world of politics and corruption. Who finds success and love makes up the rest of the story.
MALAVIKA S., III Year, Biotechnology, Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering
Impressive
This story aptly captures the conflicting emotions one experiences when one watches the person one loves fall for somebody else. Undoubtedly well written, the author presents a story that will definitely touch a nerve with the audience, especially the young. Though not strong enough to spark a revolution, the book is beautifully scripted and doesn't fail to impress.
ADITI NARAYANAN, X C, DAV Girls Senior Secondary School, Gopalapuram
Clichéd
One gets the impression that this time around, Bhagat hasn't included any of his personal real-life incidents into this novel. It does make it slightly less funny and clichéd, but Revolution 2020 is in no way a bad book.
VINOO KURIAN THOMAS, 22, Engineer with Tata Consultancy Services
Political nexus
The book largely focuses on the mindset of the majority of the Indian students who do not make it to the elite institutions of the country and suggests that the lack of quality choices for these students has created a void in our education system which has paved the way for emergence of private institutes to fill in that void. The author has provided an insight in to corruption and the political nexus involved in such institutions to which Gopal falls prey.
ATHARVA SONTAKKE, XII Science, Sathaye College, Mumbai
Realistic
The characterisation of Gopal reflects an ideal Chetan Bhagat's approach but his upliftment is something that makes the reader dumb struck. It reminded me of a film where the hero becomes a millionaire in six minutes (a song's duration)! The characterisation of Raghav is realistic and contrasting to Gopal's. Aarti is portrayed as a rather dumb girl who is very indecisive.
GEETHA BHARATHI K., Working
Don't read this book only in the protagonist's point of view; be empathetic to Raghav. You'll then find the book just and fair. Compared to Bhagat's previous books this is not downright hilarious (there is subtle humour though). Somehow on the whole this is perhaps his best book!
The book beautifully captures the themes: love, corruption and ambition, also describing the educational system that is turning out to be a business today. The characters portray the universal. The book's a must read for every youngster, as Chetan Bhagat speaks of youth having the power and revolutionising India by 2020; a change for the better.
CARLOS LUIS, III Year, B.A. English Literature, Loyola College
Poignant
This is not the book you go for if you want some light hearted fun (or any fun for that matter). It just oscillates between dry and serious. It does have a poignant message but does not have a very good way of conveying it. Chetan sir, please include a few laughs in your next.
SANJANA GAUTHAM, XI, Sri Sankara Vidyashram
Inspiring
The character that caught my eye the most is Raghav — a rebellious Journo, who looks like he could be the future inspiration for all aspiring Journos. A part which I felt quite repetitive was the one where Gopal prepares for his IIT/NIT Coaching Exams. That reminded me of Five Point Someone . Wish Chetan comes out of his comfort zone of IIT/IIMs.
S. SOWMYA, II Year, B.Com, S.D.N.B.Vaishnav College for Women
Engaging Emphasising the need for sacrifice and revolution the book is certainly Bollywood material. If you are in the mood for some full blown storytelling, this one will surely not disappoint.
VISHRUT SHARMA, SRM University
Commonsense
Chetan depends on the familiarity of the tale — the very tale that had been pushed down the drain as cliché — to spread his opinions/views. He doesn't preach philosophy either. Instead, he successfully entwines some common sense and a bit of philosophy/psychology to the readers through his characters that start out as losers.
HARISH S. RAM