KOLKATA: Author Chetan Bhagat has described his book ‘Half Girlfriend’ as a work of fiction and has ridiculed allegations that its contents had insulted the former kingdom of Dumraon in Bihar.

“‘Half Girlfriend' is a work of fiction. It is a mere coincidence that a character Madhav Jha belongs to a royal family,” Bhagat said while addressing a gathering at Infocom 2014 in Kolkata.

The author, who has penned popular books like ‘Five Point Someone’, ‘One Night at the Call Centre’ and ‘The 3 Mistakes of My Life’, said he did not require a controversy to become popular.

“Madhav Jha does not exist. It appears some old kings of Dumraon are alleging I have insulted the kingdom. They wrote to me. I have replied politely. I said they have been instigated by someone. I also told them I have made Dumraon famous,” he signed off.