What is it all about?
Rare to see a film that supports Indian value systems remains thoughtful, caring and still manages to stay cool..
2 States based on Chetan Bhagat's bestseller '2 States: The Story Of My Marriage' is such a happy inter-cast marriage of love, romance, family, values, tradition, faith and acceptance that It's hard not to admire its pure sentimentality.
2 States has everything a solid rom com should have its determined, affecting, lasting and sweet reminder of the most loved B-town inter- caste love stories like the unforgettable K Balachadra's Ek Duje Ke Liye staring Kamal Hassan and Rati Agnihotri or the recent Vicky Donor starring Ayushman and Yami Guatam.
The smart mixture of old age tradition in this new age lovers edition is deftly handled by first timer helmer and writer Abhishek Varman plucking the heartstrings with an extra beat for women ensuring commitments of happy returns at the box office.
The Story
The screen adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's best seller `2 States : The Story Of My marriage' gets its screenplay by Abhishek Varman and dialogues by Hussain Dalal who remarkably make sure that the proceedings gets identifications from all sections of the audience either in love or married (inter-cast or same)
It's IIM Ahmedabad Krish Malhotra (Arjun) a Punjabi munda and Ananya Swaminathan (Alia) a Tamilian Brahmin are happy together - a perfect modern day couple focused know what they want and who will be their life partner so what's the problem.
Well this is India and in India acceptance of parents is as important as the lover's commitment towards each other.
So the journey of the Punjabi boy trying to woo a Tamil Brahamin family in Chennai starts followed by a Tamil Brahamin girl's attempt to woo a Punjabi family in Saddi Delhi takes place amidst series of undeniably funny moments with tremendous identifications with a restrained melodramatic cliche but that's fine.
What to look out for
Brilliantly executed light hearted love story that remarkably takes digs at different cultures but in no way degrades them. It's simple, precise and to the point.
`2 States' is real and beautiful writer helmer Abhishek Varman in his very first film gives a new adage on the power of love fantastic humour wrapped in an engrossing screenplay powered by great punches by Dalal dialogues ensures the movie is entertaining and engaging. Abhishek Varman narration is free flowing, smooth and connecting to audience ranging from sweet sixteen to late sixty in age.
Bollywood is always criticized for making stereotype of communities but here the characterization is adept and no caricatures are made of any community the casting by Nandini Shrikent and production design by Amrita Mahal is adequate. Costumes by Natascha Charak, Manish Malhotra, Nikita Raheja and Shiraz Siddique do justice. Binod Pradhan cinematography is superb. Editing by Namrata Rao is crisp. Background score by Parik and Tubby is appropriate. Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy music has one hummable number Mast Magan beautifully sung by Arijit Singh & Chinmayi Sripada.
The chemistry between Arjun and Alia is cracking.
Performance are of highest standards over here.
For Arjun Kapoor it's a makeover from the aggressive angry young man to a sober thinking urban youth and he is fantastic. Arjun Kapoor spins a big surprise over here. Brilliant.
Alia Bhatt carrying her role with such ease and freedom exuding charm, warm and instant identification amongst female audience with compassion. She was terrific in Highway and here she so cute and loving. Outstanding.
Ronit Roy is terrific as Arjun's father. Amrita Singh is fine as the Punjabi mom. Revathi is superb as Alia's mummy especially in that medley where she sings Tamil and Bollywood songs. Shiv Subramaniam as Alia's father is very good. Achint Kaur chips in with good support.
What not
Music could have being better. Unnecessary cliche in the end could have being avoided.
Conclusion: 2 States is a feel good, determined, marvelously performed and very affectingly rich emotional romance filled with desi ethos that says great love has to undergo doubt, trials, and hardships to gain its deepest rewards it's not about communities it's about people, love, faith and acceptance. Gift (watch this ) with someone you love.
Rating ****
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