Imitation is the best form
Judy Balan's next work is yet another parody of a Chetan Bhagat novel, one that she has co-written with Kishore Manohar.
She’s back to doing what she’s best at — writing a parody! This is the genre in which she first tasted success. Popular city blogger Judy Balan’s first book Two Fates, a satirical take on Chetan Bhagat’s Two States was an instant hit. The author followed it up with Sophie Says and Nina the Philosopher series, which both received similar acclaim from fans. That’s right, for her next project she has decided to parody yet another Bhagat novel!
The book is titled Half Boyfriend, and Judy has co-authored it with Kishore Manohar — safe to say, she’s treading on tested waters this time. “It’s another CB parody, but it’s entirely unlike Two Fates in terms of treatment.
With Two Fates, I had parodied CB’s style (as opposed to just plot elements) and I thought I was being clever. But since it was my first book, most people ended up thinking it was my style. So, it was a lesson in humility. But that was always something I wanted to straighten out, so when my editor at Bloomsbury asked if I’d do a Half Girlfriend parody, it just sort of fell in place. I’d honestly be flattered if I were Chetan Bhagat!” grins Judy.