R Madhavan says ‘3 idiots’ was better than Chetan Bhagat’s novel

R. Madhavan and Chetan Bhagat engaged in banter-filled Twitter exchanges in which the actor appeared to subtly roast the author. 

It all started on Monday on a Twitter platform with a poll asking people to choose between books and movies. 

Bhagat responded to the thread, saying, "My books, and the movies based on them."

It caught Madhavan's eye, who replied: "Hey Chetan…

My bias is movies > books."

Soon after, the two engaged in a hilarious verbal brawl on the microblogging website. 

In response to Madhavan's message, Bhagat wrote, "Have you ever heard anyone ever say the movie is better than the book?" 

"Yes! 3 Idiots," Madhavan replied, referring to the 2009 blockbuster he starred in, which was based on Bhagat's first best-seller, 'Five Point Someone.' 

"Well I prefer to be known as Chetan Bhagat over being known as Farhan from that one movie," Bhagat said.

"I'm not known just as Farhan. I'm also known as Manu from 'Tanu Weds Manu', Kartikh from 'Alaipayuthey', and my favorite, Maddy kyunki mein rehta hoon sab ke dil mein," Madhavan said.

The banter continued until late at night, when Madhavan finally revealed that the exchanges were "scripted." 

Madhavan and Bhagat can currently be seen in the webseries 'Decoupled.' It also stars Surveen Chawla in the lead.