The Real Money Behind Chetan Bhagat’s Success: Why Writing Books Didn’t Make Him a Millionaire — Until He Took a Different Route

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Bestselling author Chetan Bhagat reveals the surprising truth about his financial journey: despite quitting a lucrative investment banking career, his books alone weren't the source of his millionaire status. Instead, he credits equity investing, motivational talks, and movie rights as key income streams that bolstered his wealth.

Chetan Bhagat, one of India's most popular contemporary authors, recently gave an honest insight into his financial journey since quitting his high-paying investment banking job. Known for novels like Five Point Someone, 2 States, and Half Girlfriend, Bhagat acknowledged that book royalties alone did not make him a millionaire, contrary to popular belief.

Bhagat shared that his debut novel was priced modestly, and he earned a royalty of around ₹9 per copy. Even bestselling authors in India face limited book sales volumes, often struggling to move beyond 50,000 copies annually—a figure Bhagat himself considers a “mega hit.” This meant his royalty income was not comparable to the hefty salary he earned in investment banking.

His highest annual bonus in banking approached $1 million before he quit to fully pursue writing. However, the real turning point for his wealth came from multiple streams including equity investments, motivational speaking, social media presence, and lucrative movie rights for adaptations of his books.

Despite the financial challenges of leaving a high-paying job, Bhagat credits his disciplined investment approach—focusing on value investing and “waiting patiently” like Warren Buffett—with growing his wealth sustainably. He also highlighted the importance of diversifying income beyond writing to include public speaking and digital platforms.

Bhagat’s journey underscores the realities of being an author in India’s literary landscape, where fame doesn’t always translate directly into fortune. His transparency offers inspiration and realism for aspiring writers balancing passion and financial security.

Key Highlights

Bhagat’s highest banking bonus before quitting was nearly $1 million.
Book royalties, earning about ₹9 per copy, contributed modestly relative to banking income.
Annual sales of 50,000 copies considered a bestseller in India’s book market context.
Significant income from equity investments, motivational talks, and movie rights.
Emphasizes disciplined, patient investing as wealth-building strategy over quick gains.
Encourages diversification of income streams for creative professionals.
Challenges the myth that bestselling books alone make authors rich in India

Sources: Financial Express; Chetan Bhagat’s Financial Talks; YouTube Interview with Shivender Kanwar; Economic Times.

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