Chetan Bhagat opens up about #MeToo allegations, says had asked wife Anusha to leave him

In his first public appearance since the #MeToo allegations that surfaced a month ago, author Chetan Bhagat reiterated that the claims were false.

Speaking on the last day of a literary event organised by media brand Aaj Tak, the writer recalled that the period during which the accusations had emerged as the "toughest time" of his life. The bestselling author, who had categorically denied all charges of harassment, said that he had proof that showed the allegations were false, and he had shared on Twitter.

He also added that the period was one of trial on the personal front, and he had even asked his wife Anusha to leave him.


"It was very tough for my family. I am used to the trolls on the Internet. My wife is more of a private person, and I felt that she was breaking down," the 44-year-old writer, said.

'The Girl in Room No, 5' author said that his wife had refused to pay heed to him, and stood by him. He, in fact, compared his marital equation to that of the gods Shiv and Parvati where the latter had supported her husband through his trying times.

Bhagat, referring to his interaction with a woman writer, also said that it made him feel foolish for chatting with another woman while being married.

However, the writer who maintains that he 'has never harassed anyone', feels that a legal recourse is not the only solution.

Last month, author Ira Trivedi had accused Bhagat of sexual harassment, following which the 'Two States' writer had made his email interaction with her public on social media. Trivedi had responded by sending him a legal notice, and releasing the complete trail of mails.