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| 2 States | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Abhishek Varman |
| Screenplay by | Abhishek Varman |
| Dialogues by | Hussain Dalal |
| Story by | Abhishek Varman Chetan Bhagat |
| Based on | 2 States byChetan Bhagat |
| Produced by | Karan Johar Sajid Nadiadwala |
| Starring | Arjun Kapoor Alia Bhatt |
| Cinematography | Binod Pradhan |
| Edited by | Namrata Rao |
| Music by | Songs: Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Background Score: Tubby-Parik |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | UTV Motion Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 150 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Budget | ₹45 crore |
| Box office | ₹175 crore[2] |
2 States is a 2014 IndianHindi-languageromantic comedy film directed byAbhishek Varman and written by Varman andChetan Bhagat, based on Bhagat's 2009novel of the same name.[3] The film starsArjun Kapoor andAlia Bhatt, with supporting roles byAmrita Singh,Ronit Roy,Revathi, andShiv Kumar Subramaniam.[2][1] The film follows Krish and Ananya, a young inter-regional couple fromPunjabi Hindu andTamil Brahmin families, as they navigate the cultural barriers between their parents to gain approval for their relationship.
Krish Malhotra, a Punjabi Hindu fromDelhi, is a graduate fromIIT Delhi pursuing anMBA atIIM Ahmedabad. At college, he meets Ananya Swaminathan, a Tamil Brahmin fromChennai. The two become close after she asks to study with him, and their friendship gradually evolves into a romantic relationship. After a brief separation, Krish confesses his feelings, and they begin dating, eventually living together during the final months of their course. Krish, who harbors ambitions of becoming a writer, proposes to Ananya during campus placements, and she accepts. He secures a job withYes Bank, while Ananya joinsSunsilk.
The couple attempts to introduce their parents during the convocation, but the meeting turns sour due to cultural differences, especially between Krish’s outspoken mother, Kavita, and Ananya’s reserved parents, Shiv and Radha. Kavita disapproves of Ananya and urges Krish to consider a traditionalarranged marriage. Choosing to be near Ananya, Krish opts to work in Chennai, despite his parents' disapproval.
In Chennai, Krish makes efforts to win over Ananya’s family. He tutors her younger brother Manju for theIIT entrance exam, secures a singing opportunity for Radha at a corporate event, and helps Shiv with a presentation. These gestures eventually earn the Swaminathans' approval for the marriage. Krish and Ananya then travel to Delhi to gain Kavita’s support. Ananya impresses the family by intervening in adowry dispute at a cousin’s wedding, leading to grudging acceptance from Kavita.
The families agree to a joint vacation in Mumbai before the wedding, hoping to bond. However, tensions resurface when Kavita continues making disparaging remarks aboutSouth Indian culture. Matters worsen when Ananya overhears Krish privately telling his mother she can act however she wants after the wedding. Feeling betrayed, Ananya ends the relationship.
Krish becomes depressed and begins writing a novel about their relationship. He even meets Ananya in Chennai, where she advises him to no longer communicate with her. However, Ananya unexpectedly calls Krish and reveals that Krish’s estranged father, Vikram, an alcoholic with whom Krish shares a troubled history—had visited her family to apologize and request their approval. Moved by his gesture, Ananya reconciles with Krish, and the families agree to proceed with the wedding. Vikram initially declines to attend but appears at the last moment to make peace with Kavita.
Following their marriage in Chennai, Ananya gives birth to twin boys. Krish resigns from his banking job to become a full-time writer and publishes a novel based on their journey, titled2 States.
Principal photography took place inDelhi,Chennai,Mumbai, andAhmedabad, withBinod Pradhan serving as director of photography. The music was composed byShankar–Ehsaan–Loy, with lyrics written byAmitabh Bhattacharya. Costume design was handled byManish Malhotra andAnaita Shroff Adajania, and editing was overseen byNamrata Rao.
Saif Ali Khan andPriyanka Chopra were originally considered for the lead roles, withSiddharth Anand attached to direct.[6] Later, the film was to featureShah Rukh Khan andAsin Thottumkal under the direction ofVishal Bhardwaj, but this version did not materialize.[7]Imran Khan was also approached for the role of Krish Malhotra. However,he declined in favor of starring inMatru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola (2013).[8]
Eventually, Arjun Kapoor was finalized to portray Krish Malhotra.[9] The role of Ananya Swaminathan was first offered toAnushka Sharma,Amala Paul, andCatherine Tresa, who declined the part citing a lack of interest in the role.Alia Bhatt was later cast as the female lead.[10] Supporting roles were filled byAmrita Singh andRonit Roy as Krish’s parents, andRevathi andShiv Kumar Subramaniam as Ananya’s parents.
Principal photography began on 29 January 2013 with the filming of a song sequence.[11] Key portions were shot inChennai,Delhi, and across multiple locations inAhmedabad, including theIndian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A), Gol Limda Bhajiya House near Astodia Darwaza, the city’s railway station, and the police commissioner’s office.[12][13] Alia Bhatt’s wardrobe, designed byManish Malhotra, reflected a fusion of traditional and contemporary styles to match her character, a modern Tamil woman who primarily speaks the language with her parents.[14][15]
The song "Offo" was choreographed byRemo D'Souza and was designed to depict the progression of several Indian festivals over the course of a year. The sequence was filmed across four days at IIM Ahmedabad andFilmistan Studio in Mumbai.[16] The completed film received a U/A certification from theCentral Board of Film Certification.
The background score for2 States was composed by Tubby–Parik, while the songs were composed byShankar–Ehsaan–Loy with lyrics byAmitabh Bhattacharya. The first single, "Offo", performed byAditi Singh Sharma andAmitabh Bhattacharya, was released on 7 March 2014, followed by "Locha-E-Ulfat", sung byBenny Dayal, on 13 March 2014. The full album was released on 16 March 2014 under T-Series.
The soundtrack received positive responses, with tracks such as "Offo", "Mast Magan", "Iski Uski", "Locha-E-Ulfat", and "Chandaniya" becoming commercial chartbusters. Additionally, the medley piece "Isaiyin Alai", featured during the concert sequence in the film, was sung by Mahalaxmi Iyer. The album earned Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy theFilmfare Award andIIFA Award for Best Music Director.
Theteaser trailer for2 States was released alongside the theatrical release ofHasee Toh Phasee on 7 February 2014.
India
2 States opened to strong box office numbers across India. According toBox Office India, it earned ₹120 million (US$1.4 million) nett on its opening day, followed by ₹118 million (US$1.4 million) on the second day, bringing the two-day total to ₹238 million (US$2.8 million).[17][18] The film performed particularly well in key circuits includingMumbai,Delhi–UP,Mysore,CP Berar, CI, Nizam, andRajasthan.[19] It registered a weekend collection of ₹280 million (US$3.3 million) nett and was declared a "super hit" byBox Office India.[18][20] The film concluded its theatrical run with a domestic nett total of ₹811 million (US$9.6 million).[21]
Overseas
Internationally, the film grossed approximately US$5.85 million, becoming the second-highest overseas earner among Hindi films in 2014 at that time, followingJai Ho.[22][23]
2 States received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for its music, performances, and treatment of cultural conflict, though some noted its pacing and tonal inconsistency.[24]Taran Adarsh ofBollywood Hungama awarded it 4.5 out of 5 stars, calling it "one of the finest movies to come out of the Hindi film industry of late" and "strongly recommended".[25] Saurabh Dwivedi ofIndia Today rated it 4 out of 5, remarking that the film serves as a "good mirror for parents to understand their children".[26]
Meena Iyer ofThe Times of India praised the film's "simple narrative told humorously".[27] Paloma Sharma ofRediff.com also gave the film a positive review.[28]
Mohar Basu ofKoimoi praised the chemistry between the leads but noted that the film "misses the magic of Chetan Bhagat's novel".[29]DNA India found the first half "light and breezy" but criticized the second half for being overly dramatic.[30]
Anupama Chopra ofHindustan Times stated that while the film benefited from "talented actors" and "gorgeous songs", the story lost momentum in the second half, describing it as "stretched so thin that by the time Krish and Ananya walk into the sunset, you are long past caring".[31]Saibal Chatterjee ofNDTV also gave 2.5 stars, calling the narrative "occasionally funny and sweet" but ultimately "stultified" due to its overextended central conflict.[32]Shubhra Gupta ofThe Indian Express echoed similar sentiments, writing that while the first half was "smooth" and "engaging", the post-interval section descended into "mopey melodrama". However, she praised Bhatt's performance as "easy and fresh and natural".[33]
| Award | Date of ceremony[a] | Category | Recipients | Result | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stardust Awards | 15 December 2014 | Best Actor in a Comedy or Romance | Arjun Kapoor | Nominated | [34][35] |
| Best Supporting Actor | Ronit Roy | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Amrita Singh | Nominated | |||
| Revathi | Nominated | ||||
| BIG Star Entertainment Awards | 18 December 2014 | Most Entertaining Music | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Won | [36] |
| Most Entertaining Actor in a Romantic Film – Male | Arjun Kapoor | Nominated | |||
| Most Entertaining Actress | Alia Bhatt | Nominated | |||
| Most Entertaining Actor in a Romantic Film – Female | Nominated | ||||
| Screen Awards | 14 January 2015 | Best Actor (Popular Choice) | Arjun Kapoor | Nominated | [37][38] |
| Best Actress (Popular Choice) | Alia Bhatt | Nominated | |||
| Most Promising Debut Director | Abhishek Varman | Nominated | |||
| Best Film–Marketing | 2 States | Won | |||
| Producers Guild Film Awards | 24 January 2015 | Best Director | Abhishek Varman | Nominated | [39] |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role | Arjun Kapoor | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress in a Leading Role | Alia Bhatt | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Ronit Roy | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Amrita Singh | Nominated | |||
| Revathi | Nominated | ||||
| Best Debut Director | Abhishek Varman | Won | |||
| Filmfare Awards | 31 January 2015 | Best Film | 2 States | Nominated | [40] |
| Best Director | Abhishek Varman | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Ronit Roy | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Amrita Singh | Nominated | |||
| Best Debut Director | Abhishek Varman | Won | |||
| Best Music Director | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Won | |||
| Best Male Playback Singer | Arijit Singh(for "Mast Magan") | Nominated | |||
| Benny Dayal(for "Locha-E-Ulfat") | Nominated | ||||
| Global Indian Music Academy Awards | 24 February 2015 | Best Film Album | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Nominated | [41] |
| Mirchi Music Awards | 27 February 2015 | Album of The Year | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy,Amitabh Bhattacharya | Won | [42][43] |
| Music Composer of The Year | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy for "Mast Magan" | Won | |||
| Song representing Sufi tradition | "Mast Magan" | Nominated | |||
| Best Background Score | Tubby-Parik | Nominated | |||
| IIFA Awards | 5–7 June 2015 | Best Film | 2 States | Nominated | [44] |
| Best Director | Abhishek Varman | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor | Arjun Kapoor | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress | Alia Bhatt | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Ronit Roy | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actress | Amrita Singh | Nominated | |||
| Best Debutant Director | Abhishek Varman | Won | |||
| Best Music Director | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy | Won | |||
| Best Lyricist | Amitabh Bhattacharya(for "Mast Magan") | Nominated | |||
| Best Story | Chetan Bhagat | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Binod Pradhan | Won |
ATelugu-language remake of2 States, with the same title and starringAdivi Sesh andShivani Rajashekar in the lead roles, was announced in 2019. Directed by debutant Venkat Reddy and produced byM. V. V. Satyanarayana, the film commenced production but was eventually shelved due to creative differences and scheduling conflicts.[45][46][47]
