The author talks about the 'most influential people' he met on his recent trip to the US
Author Chetan Bhagat is just back from New York after attending Time magazine's list of 100 Most Influential People event at the Lincoln Centre in the Time Warner building. Chetan got a chance to meet some of the world's biggest celebrities and hobnob with biggies like actors and politicians, filmmakers and singers. Here he recounts his close encounters with people from all walks of life.

On the event
It was amazing to see so many of the world's best under one roof. From known faces like Ben Stiller, Elton John and Bill Clinton, to people who are developing cancer vaccines and saving forests, you realize how little you are compared to these people and there is such a long way to go.

On actor Ben Stiller (of Meet The Parents fame)
I had a conversation with Ben Stiller about filmmaking, how he juggles roles between being an actor, writer, director and producer and how does he decide what to do when.

On Hurt Locker director Katheryn Bigelow
I chatted with Katheryn Bigelow on how she agreed to do such an offbeat film like Hurt Locker. She told me she's attracted to odd stuff.

On super-singer Taylor Swift
She is a 20 year old music sensation in the USA who came from nowhere and has already sold 100 million albums. I asked her about how she handles so much fame, and she spoke about having a tight set of old friends that keep her grounded.

On Bill Clinton
His speech was outstanding. Bill just gave a speech on how the room was unique as people in the room have tried to influence others by their positive work which is different from terrorists who influence by hurting others.

On his next film after 3 Idiots
The bitter experience Chetan had with the makers of 3 Idiots has not disenchanted me towards Bollywood. I am helping Abhishek Kapoor on the script of the 3 Mistakes Of My Life. Apart from that I will do a straight-to -script rom-com. I haven't zoomed in on any firm theme for my fifth book yet.