2 States

2 States had me in two states of mind. While it's mostly simple and light hearted first half made me look forward to the rest of the movie, the darker and grittier, though somewhat predictable 2nd half made me sit up and take notice of the proceedings.

This tale is essentially that of two much in love IIM Graduates from two corners of India wishing to have their culturally clashing and hard to woo families completely accept their alluring alliance. Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Chetan Bhagat, the film for me gets full marks in the screenplay adaptation department. Alas, sometimes the editing, tying up of lose ends from a storytelling perspective (what happens to the psychiatry sessions? When does it end), and staple Bollywood melodrama (or the lack thereof in the tame ending) makes for wishful film viewing.

What worked for me was the terrific chemistry and naturally effortless performances of the lead actors. Alia gets full marks for her terrific portrayal of Tamilian Ananya (despite her being a thorough North Indian girl - this being her third film, this is one girl to watch out for over and over again). Arjun inches close for his gritty and multi layered portrayal of Krish (I wish there was a bit more body language/voice modulation/effort to portray the 7 years younger character, or the slightly older father of two kids).

The supporting cast is tremendous too! Be it Ronit Roy in the stupendous special appearance as the father fighting his inner demons, or Amrita Singh with her loud mouthed yet large hearted portrayal of Krish's mother. Revathi and Shivkumar as Ananya's parents are subtle and nuanced and add the required pathos to the story at just the right time. I especially loved Revathi's rendition of 'Kaho Na Pyaar Hai' and Shiv's almost childlike reactions to the same. The direction is naturally delightful (a great debut by Abhishek Varman), the screenplay superb, the music by Shankar Ehsaan Loy hummable (especially the excellently filmed 'Locha E Ulfat'), and the cinematography by Binod Pradhan just right, making this perfect as far as the technical requirements are concerned. Some loose ends could have been tied better, had the editor - Namrata Rao been allowed some more screen time (was it the over expectations from her post Kahaani?). But this is a glitch that can be safely ignored in an otherwise effective film.

Though some scenes of intimacy could have been done without, this is indeed a great family watch that strangely will teach you a thing or two about why, how, and when family matters. Watch it for a fluffy slice of life. Don't expect the stars, and you might just moon over this not so typical Bollywood Romance. Go for it!

This movie was surprise for me I assure you it is in positive way. I am very much fond of books but don't know why I never liked Chetan Bhagat. But this story was superb and I know books are much well narrated than movie. so I will read another books of the writer.

Alia Bhatt looked beautiful. in Student of the year she was like loaded with cosmetic and over shown with fancy cloths. But in this movie her role is superb in normal cloths and in the role of a normal girl, she proved that she is going to be a challenge for all actress.

in all previous movies, Arjun Kapoor was doing Gunda type roles. but in this movie he looked cute. I knew the story and before going to movie I was thinking that he will be a mistake for this role. But he was surprisingly cute in this role.

Abhishek Verman did a great job. full movie is in continuous process. you can't be bored in a single scene. hats off for the direction.

Ronit Roy got a small role in this movie but he did full work with that. his small role was fully noticed and it is like he is in every scene in the movie.

Songs are also in hit list of bollywood. really listen-able and every mood songs are life of this movie. if you take my advice, you must listen the songs you will be more than happy.

only one thing which I want to add some kisses were unnecessary. with family you can feel some odd. but they were quite simple so you can't cut many points for that.

I give 9 out of 10. you must watch this movie.

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We all are quite familiar with movies which are based on novels, real- life stories, autobiographies etc. but few films exist which strikes the right chord! Many movies (in Bollywood) like 3 Idiots (2009), Kai Po Che (2013) have been adapted from novels of one masterpiece: Chetan Bhagat! He is the main reason behind the success of these movies and many others and again for the latest release of his novel "2 States" adaptation in Bollywood!! This movie is so wonderful and doesn't require any action scenes, over-the-top dialogues, old-typical themes etc. but the makers have given a remarkable effort with some minor changes as compared to the book!! So here we go:

Story: The story is beautifully crafted!! 2 people of different culture, different states fall in love with each other. But whether they know the consequences they would face when they would face the discomfort and the pressures when people talk of inter-caste liaison, the unyielding love and the resolve to win the parents' trust, each and every aspect with the emotions included! Will they succeed in convincing their parents to get married or will their relationship would get over is the main plot of this film.

Cast: Arjun Kapoor as Krish Malhotra is delightful!! After films like Ishaqzaade (2012) and Gunday (2014) where he has a goofy character, he truly succeeds in playing a sweet, simple kind of a guy who gives importance to his relationships! He charms and gives a meticulous performance! One of his finest performance till date!

Alia Bhatt as Ananya Subramanium is first-rate!! She is beautiful yet witty and gives a delightful performance as a Tamil-Brahmin girl!! Her chemistry with Arjun is electrifying! We can say that Alia has now became an evolved actress and she knows when to capture emotions at the right time!!

Amrita Singh as Krish's Mother is a revelation! She truly is fantastic as the typical Punjabi mother-in-law who justifies her role!! She steals the show in most of the scenes!!

Ronit Roy as Krish's Father is extraordinary!! He develops an antagonistic relationship with his son but he is remarkable!! Watch out for the twist that he would get in the 2nd half!

Shiv Subramanium and Revathy as Ananya's Father and Mother gives decent performances!! They are quite efficient!!

Direction: Director Abhishek Varman should deserve the Best Debut Director in next year's film awards! He truly strikes the right chord!! He gives an remarkable effort but capturing sweet melodramatic scenes and wonderful emotions which come during the course of the film!! Both he and Karan Johar (Producer) have wonderfully executed a delightful film!!

Music: The music of the film is exceedingly well!! The songs truly move you and will put a smile in your face!! Songs like "Locha-e-Ulfat" and "Offo" are best numbers which will make you groove along with it! "Mann Mast Magan" is a wonderful and top-notch song that steals your heart!!

On the whole, 2 States is one of those rare Hindi films which have came in a long time and had explored us the diverse cultures, melodramatic scenes, problems of inter-caste marriages but one thing knocks all of it: "Love"! It really empowers on all of the dizzy situations!! Strongly recommended to people of all age-groups and also to those who fantasize about diverse people!!

A super lame first half followed up with a rocking second half. One could sum this up in the following ways:

1. There are just certain literature which looks super entertaining while watching but make for very predictable and boring reading.

2. While Indians dish out romantic stories by the dozen the treatment is so shabby that you often wonder how the hell did the chemistry build up. On the other hand, you ask them to show conflicting relative and family issues and they dish out a sucker punch. Here it seemed that the director knew that the first half is just meh and the real strength lies in the second half of the movie. So quick was he to dismiss the chemistry that you could blink and miss it.

3. If there was a direct to movie concept in book writing , Chetan Bhagat should officially consider that instead of going the traditional publisher's way.

And last but not the least!

4. Seldom are movies so mainstream and yet celebrate its side actors and character artists so wonderfully. For every effervescent reaction by Alia, Amrita Singh showed why she is such a treat to watch. Ronit Roy turned up and put on all the right moves in reprising his role as the father fighting with his own demons. Revathy and Shivkumar were brilliant as Ananya's parents representing the other side of the spectrum. The struggles of coping with pushy relatives and their own demons at the altars of their sons and daughters done so tastefully and with such restraint. You could almost root for them and hope that they get more and more screen time and that, folks is a rare sight in mainstream Bollywood!

The book was splendid. I didn't have much expectations for none of the cast is in my favorites list. However, 20 minutes into the non-linear screenplay, I was dumbstruck at the very charming adaptation.

Starting with a tuneful version of Georges Bizet's wildly famous Carmen Habañera Suite, the titles start with Krish, played perfectly by Arjun Kapoor, speaking to a therapist. The story is told from his point of view till the end. The college life romance is amazingly captured with magnificent photography. Alia Bhatt's Ananya character is perhaps the most important in her career; she's all glimmering throughout. She is hot, lovely & faultless. Only the direction by Abhishek Varman seemed a tad amateurish.

All love happens in the first half and before the climax, you are treated with Chennai's atmosphere. Coupled with mild humor and humongous romance, it is a sure treat for hungry eyes; it has a lesson or two in courtship. Then, the second half highlights the period after love: how the families have to like each other and how the lovebirds cajole them with undivided attention. Now this phase is heavily melodramatic but you won't feel bored because Amrita Singh, Shiv Kumar Subramaniam, Revathi & Ronit Roy are so imbibed with their portrayals, you will definitely fall in love with them. The latter two just up the ante that the film just moves 2-3 notches higher.

Whoever did the costume work deserves long rounds of applause for that is the factor that pushes the wagon to the star. Art department is equally fantastic, mostly the sequences towards the climax and that of weddings/parties/festivals. Good dialogs & brilliant music & score intensifies the experience.

Although, the reality quotient drops 2-3 notches down as the characters only seem to do what would advance the movie. No references are made of their work, let only anyone's work or life other than the specific point it is trying to make. Maybe the writers failed to gather the characters together with their nuances with respect to how they are in real life. But that is not a concern here.

Running for about 150 minutes, it speaks about romance, marriage - its politics & apolitical elements, relationships & the stereotypes of inter- regional marriage. It was a pleasant experience.

BOTTOM LINE: If you are looking for a universal melodrama, coupled with mild humor & romance, 2 States is the staple movie to go for this weekend. 9/10.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? Not really, but you can give it a try. See the irony?