The 2014 hit film 2 States, which charmed audiences with the unlikely yet successful pairing of Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, originally had a very different star cast and production team in mind. Based on Chetan Bhagat’s 2009 novel of the same name, the film adaptation was a major milestone for the two young actors early in their careers.
The Unexpected Casting That Made the Film ‘Fresh’
- Final Cast: Arjun Kapoor played the Punjabi boy Krish Malhotra, who falls in love with the Tamilian girl Ananya Swaminathan, played by Alia Bhatt, while they both pursue an MBA at IIM Ahmedabad. Their fresh onscreen chemistry and versatile performances pleasantly surprised fans.
- Initial Doubts: Chetan Bhagat recently revealed in an interview with Pinkvilla that he was initially hesitant about the change in plans. When he was told the film would feature a new director and young actors—Arjun Kapoor (who had only one film at the time) and Alia Bhatt (who debuted in Student Of The Year)—he admitted he was initially doubtful, as it was “not what was discussed.”
- The Outcome: Bhagat later expressed his delight with the final product, stating, “It was such a nice casting, and it made the movie fresh because they were young.” He acknowledged that while older actors might have done a great job, the youthful energy of Alia and Arjun made the film a standout success.
The Original Plan: SRK, Priyanka, and Vishal Bharadwaj
Chetan Bhagat disclosed that the project had seen several potential iterations before settling on the final team:
- Original Stars: The novel’s author confirmed that Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra were once considered for the roles of Krish and Ananya. He mentioned that the names of Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Priyanka Chopra were all discussed in the initial stages of development.
- Original Director: There was also a time when acclaimed filmmaker Vishal Bharadwaj was slated to direct the adaptation.
What’s Next for the Stars
- Alia Bhatt is gearing up for the next installment in YRF’s Spy universe, Alpha. She is also set to star in Love & War alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal.
- Arjun Kapoor was last seen in the film Mere Husband Ki Biwi.