Close X
Monday, December 2, 2024
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

All Indian channels banned in Pakistan after October 15

No Indian TV channel can be viewed in the country after October 15, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has said, a media report said on Saturday.

All Indian channels banned in Pakistan after October 15

Digital Platforms Help Punjabi Movies To Reach Out: Mahie Gill

Actress Mahie Gill says the Punjabi film industry is coming of age and digital platforms are giving it a much-needed push to reach out to viewers in far off places.

Digital Platforms Help Punjabi Movies To Reach Out: Mahie Gill

Anything On Internet Won't Be On '#NoFilterNeha': Neha Dhupia

Anything On Internet Won't Be On '#NoFilterNeha': Neha Dhupia
There have been celebrity chat shows galore. But actress Neha Dhupia, who is set to host audio talk show "#NoFilterNeha" on music streaming service Saavn, says what sets apart her show will be her guests sharing insights in an "unfiltered light".

Anything On Internet Won't Be On '#NoFilterNeha': Neha Dhupia

'31st October' Makers' Special Gesture For 1984 Riot Victims

'31st October' Makers' Special Gesture For 1984 Riot Victims
The makers of upcoming dramatic thriller '31st October' starring Vir Das and Soha Ali Khan, which is based on a Sikh family's struggle for survival during the 1984 anti-Sikh pogrom, have decided to donate a portion of their box-office collections for a noble cause.

'31st October' Makers' Special Gesture For 1984 Riot Victims

Pakistani Artistes Are In A Vulnerable Position: Swara Bhaskar

Pakistani Artistes Are In A Vulnerable Position: Swara Bhaskar
Art and artistes should not be attached with politics. Pakistani artistes are in a vulnerable position; they are helpless... Keeping in mind that just three months ago, one of Pakistan's best known singers, Amjad Sabri, was gunned down by the terrorists

Pakistani Artistes Are In A Vulnerable Position: Swara Bhaskar

Prabhas's Wax Statue To Be Installed At Madame Tussauds Bangkok

Prabhas's Wax Statue To Be Installed At Madame Tussauds Bangkok
"Baahubali" star Prabhas will be immortalised with a wax figure to be installed at Madame Tussauds' attraction in Bangkok in March 2017. According to S.S. Rajamouli, director of the magnum opus, he is the first south Indian actor to be honoured with a wax statue.

Prabhas's Wax Statue To Be Installed At Madame Tussauds Bangkok