The 2014 romantic drama 2 States featured Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor in leading roles, but they were not the initial choices for the film adaptation. Author Chetan Bhagat recently disclosed that Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra were among the actors considered earlier for the project. Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj was also once attached to direct the adaptation of Bhagat's bestselling novel. Other names like Saif Ali Khan circulated during the early development phase. Eventually, director Abhishek Varman helmed the film with the younger pair, which turned out to be a successful decision. The movie tells the story of a couple navigating cultural and familial differences across two Indian states. It received praise from several celebrities and performed strongly at the box office. Both Arjun and Alia have since worked on multiple projects, with varying degrees of success.
Earlier Casting Plans and Final Choices
During a recent interview, Chetan Bhagat shared that Vishal Bhardwaj was initially set to adapt his novel. At different stages, names like Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Priyanka Chopra were discussed for the lead roles. Bhagat admitted feeling uncertain when he learned that newcomers Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, each with just one film, would star instead. However, the fresh casting proved advantageous. The youthful energy brought by the actors suited the story perfectly. Directed by Abhishek Varman, the film also featured Ronit Roy, Amrita Singh, and Revathy. Released in 2014, it depicted a love story bridging contrasting cultures and families. The movie garnered positive reviews from stars including Amitabh Bachchan and performed well commercially, validating the final casting decision.
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