Books, Banter, and Bhagat: Pune’s Iconic Solanki Booksellers Hosts A Chapter of Love And Legacy

Pune, October 6, 2025 — Bestselling author Chetan Bhagat was given a rousing, traditional welcome today at the iconic Solanki Booksellers on Moledina road in Pune Camp, as part of the promotional tour for his latest romance novel, 12 Years: My Messed-Up Love Story. The beloved author, whose stories have shaped the Indian literary landscape for over two decades, was greeted with the blowing of Tutaris and adorned with a Puneri Pagadi, symbolizing the city’s deep appreciation for his work.

Located opposite SGS Mall and next to the legendary Coffee House, Solanki Booksellers has been a cornerstone of Pune’s reading culture for decades. Bhagat praised the bookstore’s enduring commitment to literature and its efforts in promoting the habit of reading across generations. During his visit, he interacted warmly with the owners, signed copies of his new book, and was surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd of fans eager to meet him in person.

Later in the day, the official launch event for 12 Years: My Messed-Up Love Story took place at Crossword Bookstore, Westend Mall, in the presence of political analyst and entrepreneur Tehseen Poonawalla. The event, hosted by HarperCollins India, celebrated Bhagat’s return to the romance genre after a decade.

A Return to Romance

12 Years: My Messed-Up Love Story marks Bhagat’s much-anticipated return to the love story—a genre that catapulted him to mass popularity with titles like 2 States and Half Girlfriend, both adapted into successful Bollywood films.

Speaking about the book, Chetan Bhagat said:

“After more than ten years, I’ve written another love story. 12 Years is deeply personal to me—it’s funny, emotional, thought-provoking, and one of the best books I’ve written, if not the best. At its heart, it explores a question that we all face at some point: How do you know if someone is truly ‘the one’?”

Poulomi Chatterjee, Executive Publisher at HarperCollins India, shared, “Chetan has an unmatched ability to connect with readers through relatable, heartfelt stories. With 12 Years, he returns to the complexities of love in his trademark style—honest, humorous, and sharply insightful. We are proud to bring this book to readers across India—it’s a compelling and entertaining read.”

About the Book

Saket and Payal are complete opposites—different in age, background, and beliefs. Yet, they are drawn to each other in ways they can’t explain. Is it mere attraction? Or something deeper? Is it madness, lust, or love?

12 Years is an unputdownable, emotionally rich story that attempts to answer the eternal question:

How do you know if someone is meant to be yours—especially when everything suggests otherwise?

About the Author

Chetan Bhagat is one of India’s most celebrated contemporary authors. He has written ten bestselling novels and four widely read non-fiction titles, many of which have been adapted into successful films including 3 Idiots, Kai Po Che, and 2 States. His works have consistently topped bestseller charts since his debut.

Recognized by The New York Times as “the biggest-selling English-language novelist in India’s history,” Bhagat has also been featured on Time magazine’s list of the “100 Most Influential People in the World.” He is an alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad, and left a career in international investment banking in 2009 to focus full-time on writing and youth-driven change.

In addition to writing, he is a columnist, motivational speaker, screenwriter, YouTuber, and podcaster.

From the streets of Camp to the shelves of every major bookstore—12 Years: My Messed-Up Love Story is now available across India.