Author Chetan Bhagat recently shared surprising details about the casting process for the popular 2014 film 2 States. While audiences loved Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor in the lead roles, they were not the original choices. Bhagat revealed that big names like Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Priyanka Chopra were considered at different stages of the project. Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj was also once attached to direct the adaptation. When Arjun and Alia were finally cast, both had just one film to their credit, which initially surprised Bhagat. However, their youthful energy made the film feel fresh and authentic. The romantic drama, based on Bhagat's bestselling novel, explored the challenges of inter-cultural marriage in India. It featured strong supporting performances from Ronit Roy, Amrita Singh, and Revathy, and became a commercial success, earning praise from several Bollywood celebrities.
Original Stars Considered Before Final Casting
During an interview, Chetan Bhagat disclosed that 2 States went through multiple casting discussions before settling on its final leads. At one point, Vishal Bhardwaj was in talks to direct the film adaptation. Big names like Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Priyanka Chopra were discussed for the lead roles. Bhagat admitted he was initially uncertain when told that Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, both with only one film each at the time, would star. However, he later appreciated how their youth and freshness brought authenticity to the story. The film, directed by Abhishek Varman, explored cultural differences between families and became a box office hit, receiving praise from stars including Amitabh Bachchan and Prabhudheva.
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