The 2014 hit romantic comedy 2 States, based on Chetan Bhagat's novel of the same name, captivated audiences with its portrayal of an inter-regional couple navigating cultural differences. Starring Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, the film, directed by Abhishek Varman, became a major success, lauded for its fresh pairing and melodious soundtrack. However, recent revelations from Chetan Bhagat have brought to light the initial casting choices, revealing that Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra were the original contenders for the lead roles.
Bhagat disclosed that filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj was initially slated to direct the adaptation, with names like Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Priyanka Chopra circulating for the main roles. According to The Times of India, Siddharth Anand was first considered to direct with Saif Ali Khan and Priyanka Chopra as leads, before Vishal Bhardwaj was considered. Ultimately, this combination did not materialize. While it remains unclear precisely why SRK and Priyanka did not take on the project, several factors could have contributed to this decision. Scheduling conflicts with other projects, creative differences, or perhaps a mutual decision to explore other opportunities might have played a role.
According to Koimoi, Chetan Bhagat admitted he was initially unhappy with the casting of Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor. He confessed to Pinkvilla that he had some doubts when he learned of the new director and the casting of Arjun Kapoor, who had only one movie to his name, and Alia Bhatt, who had starred in Student Of The Year. Despite his initial reservations, Bhagat acknowledged that the fresh pairing of Arjun and Alia brought a unique charm to the film. He admitted that the new faces added a refreshing element to the film. Their youthfulness, he felt, contributed to the movie's appeal, and he speculated that older actors might not have had the same impact.
Other actors were considered for the lead roles as well. Imran Khan was approached for the role of Krish Malhotra but declined in favor of starring in Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola. Actresses such as Anushka Sharma, Amala Paul, and Catherine Tresa were also considered for the role of Ananya Swaminathan before Alia Bhatt was cast.
Despite the initial casting plans, 2 States achieved considerable success with Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in the lead. The film grossed ₹175 crore worldwide against a budget of ₹45 crore and was declared a "super hit". The soundtrack, composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, also garnered widespread acclaim, winning the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director. Ultimately, 2 States became Arjun Kapoor's highest-grossing release to date.
The success of 2 States with its eventual cast serves as a reminder that the journey of a film from conception to release can be filled with unexpected twists and turns. While Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra were initially considered, the eventual casting of Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, coupled with Abhishek Varman's direction, proved to be a winning combination.
