Let’s just say. R Madhavan is pretty bold to pick a war of words with a man who has made a career of… well, playing with words. Days ago, in a bid to establish that cinematic adaptations will never outperform the books on which they are based, author Chetan Bhagat asked his followers on Twitter, “Have you ever heard anyone ever say the movie is better than the book?” Pat came Madhavan’s reply: “Yes! 3 Idiots.” The actor featured in the much-acclaimed movie, based on Bhagat’s book, Five Point Someone. Thereafter, Bhagat seemed to have lost the plot. Instead of acknowledging a response to a question he had posed, he chose to take a shot at Madhavan’s career instead. “Maybe it’s just me, I prefer a Pulitzer over a pan masala branded award show,” said Bhagat. “Well, I prefer the 300 Crore Club over Bestseller (sic),” said Madhavan. They continued to take jabs (each better than the other), only to eventually reveal that the drama was part of a publicity stunt for their new web show. Well played, indeed! Or, as Chatur from 3 Idiots would say, ‘Rancho, you got me!’

Double power!