2 States (film)

2 States

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Abhishek Varman
Produced by
Screenplay by
Story by Chetan Bhagat
Based on 2 States 
by Chetan Bhagat
Starring
Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Cinematography Binod Pradhan
Edited by Namrata Rao
Production
company
Distributed by UTV Motion Pictures
Release dates
  • 18 April 2014 (2014-04-18)
Running time
 149 minutes[1]
Country India
Language Hindi
Budget ₹350 million (US$5.2 million)
Box office ₹1.50 billion (US$22 million)[2]

2 States is a 2014 Indian romantic comedy-drama film[3] directed by Abhishek Varman based on the 2009 novel of the same name written by Chetan Bhagat. It is produced by Karan Johar and Sajid Nadiadwala.[4] The film stars Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in lead roles.[5][6] The film, released on 18 April 2014, has received mixed reviews from critics but was a large commercial success, declared a "Super Hit" by Box Office India.[7] The film's storyline nears that of the 1981 Bollywood film, 'Ek Duuje Ke Liye'.

Plot

Krish Malhotra (Arjun Kapoor), a student from Delhi, is pursuing his MBA at IIM Ahmedabad. Krish comes from a family very proud of their Punjabi heritage. He meets Ananya Swaminathan (Alia Bhatt) in his college who comes from a conservative Tamil Brahmin family. Krish and Ananya become friends and start studying together. Soon they begin dating, and stay together for their two years on the IIM campus. Krish confides in Ananya that his real passion is writing, which he wants to pursue a career in.

When they complete their graduation, Krish and Ananya decide to get married. They introduce their parents to each other at the convocation ceremony. To their dismay, Krish's loud Punjabi mother Kavita (Amrita Singh) does not get along with Ananya's reserved Tamilian parents Radha (Revathy) and Swaminathan (Shiv Kumar Subramaniam). After graduation, Ananya begins her marketing job in her hometown Chennai and Krish goes back to his own hometown Delhi. Krish's brash family urges him to stay in Delhi and try to discourage him from his interest in writing. They also criticize his relationship with Ananya, and tell him to get an arranged marriage with a Punjabi girl. It is also evident that there is tension between Krish and his alcoholic father Vikram (Ronit Roy).

Krish leaves his dysfunctional family and starts a banking job in Chennai. During this time, he tries very hard to win over Ananya's family. He tutors her younger brother, gets her mother an opportunity to sing at an event for his workplace, and helps her father create his first PowerPoint presentation. After all his effort, Ananya's family agrees to the marriage with Krish. Krish and Ananya then travel to Delhi to win over Krish's family. Initially, Kavita and her family are hostile towards Ananya but come to like her after she saves Krish's cousin's wedding from being cancelled due to a dispute over dowry.

Krish and Ananya decide to take a vacation with their families before the wedding. The vacation does not go as planned when Kavita makes continuous snide remarks about Tamilian culture. Furthermore, Ananya and her parents overhear Krish falsely assuring his mother that she can treat Ananya however she wants after they are married. Having had enough of the insults, Ananya calls off the wedding and both return to their respective hometowns.

Krish and Ananya find it hard to live without each other. Sometime later, he gets a call from Ananya, who reveals that Krish's father had come down to Chennai to speak to her parents, apologizing for his wife's shallow behavior. This allows for Krish and Ananya to finally get happily married, they become parents to twin boys and Krish publishes his book 2 States based on his and Ananya's life.

Cast

Production

Casting

The first choice for the lead pair in the film had been Saif Ali Khan and Priyanka Chopra and the film was to be directed by Siddharth Anand.[10] Later, it was announced that Shah Rukh Khan and Asin Thottumkal would play lead roles and the film was to be directed by Vishal Bhardwaj.[11] The role of Krish Malhotra was also offered to Imran Khan who instead chose to work on Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola.[12] Finally, Arjun Kapoor was cast as the lead.[13] Actress Alia Bhatt was paired opposite him. Amrita Singh and Ronit Roy were cast as Arjun Kapoor's parents and Revathy and Shiv Kumar Subramaniam were cast as Alia Bhatt's parents.

Filming

Principal photography commenced on 29 January 2013 with the shooting of a song.[14] Parts of the film were shot at Chennai, Delhi, IIM-A and Gol Limda Bhajiya House near Astodia Darwaza, Ahmedabad Railway Station to Police commissioner office in Ahmedabad in August 2013.[15][16] Alia would be sporting an Indian Fusion look in the film and her costumes have been designed by Manish Malhotra.[17] Speaking about her character, Alia said that she is a City Girl who speaks Tamil only with her parents.[18] It was given an U/A certificate.

The song "Offo" was choreographed and conceptualized by Remo D'Souza as a celebration of several Indian festivals in a time lapse of almost one year. It was shot over four days at IIM Ahmedabad campus and Filmistan Studio in Mumbai.[19]

Soundtrack

2 States
Soundtrack album by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Released 14 March 2014
Genre Film soundtrack
Length 25:29
Label T-Series
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy chronology
Darr @ the Mall
(2014)		 2 States
(2014)		 Kill Dil
(2014)

The soundtrack is composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, while the lyrics are penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya. The first song, Offo, sung by Aditi Singh Sharma and Amitabh Bhattacharya, released on March 7, 2014. The second song, Locha-E-Ulfat, sung by Benny Dayal, released on March 13, 2014. The soundtrack of the film released on March 14, 2014.[20] The medley song "Isaiyin Alai" at the Concert was sung by Mahalaxmi Iyer. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy won the filmfare and iifa awards 2015 for this film.

Tracklist
No. TitleSingers Length
1. "Offo"  Aditi Singh Sharma, Amitabh Bhattacharya 3:34
2. "Locha-E-Ulfat"  Benny Dayal 4:48
3. "Mast Magan"  Arijit Singh, Chinmayi Sripada 4:40
4. "Iski Uski"  Akriti Kakkar, Shahid Mallya, Shankar Mahadevan 4:14
5. "Chaandaniya"  K. Mohan, Yashita Sharma 4:07
6. "Hullaa Re"  Shankar Mahadevan, Siddharth Mahadevan, Rasika Shekar 3:41
Total length:
 25:29

Release

Box office

India

According to Box Office India, 2 States had "excellent" first day figures of ₹120 million (US$1.8 million).[21][22] The collections for second day were around ₹117.5 million (US$1.7 million) taking its two-day total to ₹237.5 million (US$3.5 million), receiving a "fantastic" response in circuits like Mumbai, Mysore, Delhi-UP, CP Berar, CI, Nizam and Rajasthan.[22][23] The film was declared a "Super Hit" by Box Office India in light of its first two days' performance.[22] With a very good run in multiplexes and single screens alike, it managed a three-day nett of ₹370 million (US$5.5 million).[24] 2 States had a final domestic nett of ₹1.01 billion (US$15 million).[25]

International

According to Box Office India, 2 States grossed US$5.85 million internationally, and was the second highest overseas grosser of 2014 in Bollywood after Jai Ho at that point.[26][27]

Critical reception

The film received positive to mixed reviews from critics. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama awarded the film 4.5 out of 5 stars, and noted, "On the whole, 2 States is one of the finest movies to come out of the Hindi film industry of late. This is one of those rare Hindi movies that commands a repeat viewing. Strongly recommended!"[28] Critic Saurabh Dwiwedi, writing for India Today, gave the film 4 out of 5 stars, and published, "2 States can be a good mirror for parents to understand their children. So take along your parents and enjoy the film."[29] Meena Iyer of The Times of India gave the film 3.5 out of 5 stars, and wrote, "What makes 2 States work is the simple narrative told humorously. Adapted as it is, from one of author Chetan Bhagat's best-selling works, the film, just like the book before it, is light-hearted. Chetan's funny one-liners and life-view are studiously borrowed by the director for his screen outing. And though there is a sense of deja-vu, for those who have read the book, the movie still manages to charm and surprise."[30] Paloma Sharma of Rediff.com gave the movie 3.5/5 stars and opined, "There's nothing that should keep you from watching 2 States".[31] Mohar Basu of Koimoi gave the film 3 out of 5 stars, and wrote, "2 States is barely unwatchable but misses the magic of Chetan Bhagat’s novel. As a stand alone, it is endearingly done with Alia and Arjun’s scorching chemistry coming off as adorable. The Bhagat fan in me is disappointed but the cinegoer isn’t."[32] DNA posted, the first half of the film is light and breezy and the second dramatic and emotional, perhaps a better balance would have helped the post interval portion which seems heavy.[33]

Hindustan Times' Anupama Chopra gave the film 2.5 stars out of 5, and said, "In 2 States, the story is the weakest link. The film is bolstered by talented actors, gorgeous songs by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, nice styling, sumptuous production design and a few sparkling moments. But in the second half, 2 States falls apart. At almost two-and-a-half hours, it’s also stretched so thin that by the time Krish and Ananya walk into the sunset, you are long past caring". Concerning Kapoor and Bhatt, she said, "Arjun, departing from his earlier violent roles, makes a nicely goofy and later subdued lover boy, but it’s Alia who lights up the screen."[34] Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, and wrote, "2 States is a cross-culture love story that strives to be sweet, funny and emotionally wrenching all at once. It is occasionally funny and sweet in parts all right, but the family drama at the film’s core has a severely stultified feel. The trouble is that the impending wedding remains impending far too long to sustain interest... it sets out to be a slice-of-life drama about a real couple grappling with the politics of inter-community marriage, but it fails to generate enough energy and warmth to draw the audience into a tight clinch".[35] Shubra Gupta of The Indian Express gave the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, and said, "2 States... sets out to be a solid, emotionally satisfying rom com, and goes well for a bit but then turns into a too-stretched-out ‘jhagda’ between the two sets of North-South parents. The smooth, engaging first half descends, post-interval, into mopey melodrama, and I got impatient waiting for the inevitable resolution." She praised Bhatt's performance, saying, "...Alia Bhatt is a surprise. She leaves behind her earlier films, and gets into her character: she may not be an authentic ‘Southie’ in terms of body language, but she is all girl, easy and fresh and natural".[36]

Awards

21st Screen Awards
60th Filmfare Awards

References

  1. ↑ "2 STATES (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  2. ↑ "Top Ten Worldwide Grossers 2014". Box Office India. 8 May 2014.
  3. ↑ "2 States 1st Friday Box Office Collection | Business Done on Opening Day". NewsZoner. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  4. ↑ "Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in 2 States". India Today. Retrieved 2013-12-27.
  5. ↑ "2 States Cast and Crew". bollywoodhungama.com. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  6. ↑ "Cast,Crew,Actorstresses,Director and Producers of 2 States". Oneindia.in. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  7. ↑ "Movie Review: 2 States – or how to woo the parents - Blogs". Dawn.Com. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  8. ↑ "Ronit Roy plays negative role in 2 States". India Today. Retrieved 2013-12-27.
  9. ↑ ""I am doing a negative role in 2 States" says Ronit Roy". IBN Live. Retrieved 2013-12-27.
  10. ↑ "Saif & Priyanka in Siddharth Anand's adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's '2 States' | Bollywood News | Hindi Movies News | News". BollywoodHungama.com. 2010-10-14. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  11. ↑ "Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra re-ignite 2 States". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2011-06-23. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  12. ↑ "Casting chronicle: One's miss is another's hit". India Today. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
  13. ↑ "SRK Wins Face Of Romantic Music Award At Radio Mirchi Music Awards". Indiatimes.com. 2014-02-28. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  14. ↑ "Arjun, Alia starrer 2 States goes on floor today". Bollywood Hungama. Bollywood Hungama News Network. 29 January 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  15. ↑ "Arjun Kapoor, Alia Bhatt at IIM Ahmedabad for 2 States". The Indian Express. 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2013-04-25.
  16. ↑ "'2 States' brings Ahmedabad centre to a standstill". Daily News and Analysis. 2013-08-10. Retrieved 2013-04-25.
  17. ↑ "Alia Bhatt sports an Indian Fusion Look in 2 States". IANS. news.biharprabha.com. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  18. ↑ "Being a Tamil Girl was not difficult for Alia Bhatt in 2 States". IANS. news.biharprabha.com. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  19. ↑ "Festival soiree". The Indian Express. April 16, 2014. Retrieved 2014-04-29.
  20. ↑ Video on YouTube
  21. ↑ "2 States Has Excellent First Day". Box Office India T. Box Office India. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  22. 1 2 3 "2 States Emerges Biggest Hit Of 2014". Box Office India Trade Network. Box Office India. 20 April 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  23. ↑ "Two Day Circuit Figures - 2 States". Box Office India Trade Network. Box Office India. 20 April 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  24. ↑ "2 States Has Excellent Weekend". Box Office India Trade Network. Box Office India. 21 April 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
  25. ↑ "All Time Top Ten Under 50 Crore Budget Grossers - 2 States Tops". Box Office India. 14 May 2014.
  26. ↑ "Boxoffice". Boxofficeindia.com. 2014-05-07. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  27. ↑ "Top Ten Worldwide Grossers 2014". Box Office India. 4 February 2015.
  28. ↑ Adarsh, Taran. "2 States". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  29. ↑ Dwiwedi, Saurabh. "Movie Review: 2 States is a tale of journey from love to marriage". India Today. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  30. ↑ Iyer, Meena. "2 States". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  31. ↑ "Review: Nothing should keep you from watching 2 States - Rediff.com Movies". Rediff.com. 2014-04-18. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  32. ↑ Basu, Mohar. "2 States Review". Koimoi. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  33. ↑ Sarita A Tanwar (2014-04-17). "Film review: Two states starring Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor is realistic and fresh | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". Dnaindia.com. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  34. ↑ Chopra, Anupama. "Movie review by Anupama Chopra: 2 States' story is its weakest link". The Hindustan Times. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  35. ↑ Chatterjee, Saibal. "2 States: movie review". NDTV. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  36. ↑ Gupta, Shubra. "2 States movie review : Alia Bhatt is easy, fresh and natural". The Indian Express. Retrieved 20 April 2014.

External links

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