Review- Confused Bastards

Blurb: What happens when three entrepreneurs initiate a start-up which shocks the nation? 
Aakash, Jai and Vivek are mostly usual in their ways, except for some. Struggling with their own inner conflicts as well as the cruel world outside, they decide to show the world their true potential. To make it big. But how? They become the voice of the nation by starting up an online platform where people can upload unabashed, unapologetic videos, venting out their angst against people, politics, bosses, lovers, taboos, or just about anything. Even the founders themselves. 
The platform spreads like wild fire. But when has fire doused without burning a few! 
Confused Bastards is not just a witty, gritty, fast-paced journey of three friends, it’s also an intolerant story for a tolerant country! 

Silently take a bow out the door, Chetan Baba. Because here is the proof that new writing coming from young authors in India is not your hackneyed IIT jao- ladki patao-sex karo-BC karo plot. 

Confused Bastards is refreshingly funny, non-preachy and very, very real. 

Throughout the story of Aakash, Jai and Vivek, their trials and tribulations, failures and successes, flaws and qualities, I was constantly giggling and laughing. 

When you stop looking at the IITians and IIMians, it's guys like these three which form the real youth of the country. The varying, undulating tapestry of the latent and overt aspirations and opinions of India's youth is made of the thoughts and aspirations nursed by Aakash, Jai and Vivek. 

Aakash, who has many good ideas, each a subsequent failure. And he has a rich father who constantly berates him. He's also a raving misogynist who believes in bang-bang-boom without batting an eyelid or worrying about committed attachments; even describing every sexual conquest in terms of the Kamasutra.

Jai has a boss who's a monster, sets impossible goals for his employees and works them like cattle on a farm. Jai wants to quit his job, but lacks the confidence to take such a risk, owing to pressure from his parents and their sacrifices for their áverage' son. I loved his track with Sneha, the woman he later falls in love with. 

Vivek has a failed marriage and is filled with control issues. Being a topper since childhood, he cannot tolerate failing at something. And has an equally funny but irritating habit of worshiping all Gods. 

They launch this website, as a start-up, where people with any sort of grudge can vent their spleen. The story is dedicated to a detailed portrayal of how the boys go about getting angel investors and then setting up the company. And then the stories and people they encounter in course of getting good videos. 

The way the corporate world ditches you at the slightest hint of trouble has also been portrayed very well. It's about how the boys make some wrong decisions, even spend a few nights in jail, and lose everything all over again. Then they fight their personal demons, overcome their problems with their own families and thought processes and find their way in life again.

The conflict and characterization has been played out well. I liked all the lead characters and the supporting ones too.

The editing is excellent, and the prose quality is high. The author has command on the language and grammar, and the storytelling as well. The plot is original and the style is ingenious. 

I cannot find anything to criticize in the book, except perhaps Aakash gets a little too obnoxious in his misogyny at times. 

Read Confused Bastards for a refreshingly honest and fun take on the new aspirations of the millenial youth in India: Confused Bastards