Released theatrically on 18 April 2014, 2 States opened to generally positive reviews, with critics praising its performances, writing, music, and treatment of cultural conflict, though some noted its pacing and tonal inconsistency.[4] The film proved to be a major commercial success, grossing over ₹175 crore (US$21 million) worldwide, ranking as the eighth highest-grossing Hindi film of the year.[5][6]
Krish Malhotra, a Punjabi Hindu from Delhi, is a graduate from IIT Delhi pursuing an MBA at IIM Ahmedabad. At college, he meets Ananya Swaminathan, a Tamil Brahmin from Chennai. 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 with Yes Bank, while Ananya joins Sunsilk.
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 traditional arranged 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 the IIT 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 a dowry 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 about South 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, titled 2 States.
Cast
Arjun Kapoor as Krish Malhotra, a Punjabi, Ananya's love interest later husband, Kavita and Vikram's son
Alia Bhatt as Ananya Swaminathan, a Tamilian, Krish's love interest later wife, Shiv and Radha's daughter
Amrita Singh as Kavita Malhotra, Krish's mother, Vikram's wife
Ronit Roy as Vikram Malhotra, Krish's father, Kavita’s husband[8][9]
Revathi as Radha Swaminathan, Ananya's mother, Shiv's wife
Principal photography began on 29 January 2013 with the filming of a song sequence.[15] Key portions were shot in Chennai, Delhi, and across multiple locations in Ahmedabad, including the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A), Gol Limda Bhajiya House near Astodia Darwaza, the city’s railway station, and the police commissioner’s office.[16][17] Alia Bhatt’s wardrobe, designed by Manish 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.[18][19]
The song "Offo" was choreographed by Remo 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 and Filmistan Studio in Mumbai.[20] The completed film received a U/A certification from the Central Board of Film Certification.
The background score for 2 States was composed by Tubby–Parik, while the songs were composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya. The first single, "Offo", performed by Aditi Singh Sharma and Amitabh Bhattacharya, was released on 7 March 2014, followed by "Locha-E-Ulfat", sung by Benny 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 the Filmfare Award and IIFA Award for Best Music Director.
2 States opened to strong box office numbers across India. According to Box 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).[21][22] The film performed particularly well in key circuits including Mumbai, Delhi–UP, Mysore, CP Berar, CI, Nizam, and Rajasthan.[23] It registered a weekend collection of ₹280 million (US$3.3 million) nett and was declared a "super hit" by Box Office India.[22][24] The film concluded its theatrical run with a domestic nett total of ₹811 million (US$9.6 million).[25]
Overseas
Internationally, the film grossed approximately US$5.85 million, becoming the second-highest overseas earner among Hindi films in 2014 at that time, following Jai Ho.[26][27]
Critical reception
2 States received generally positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for its music, performances, and relatable storyline. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood 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".[28] Saurabh Dwivedi of India Today rated it 4 out of 5, remarking that the film serves as a "good mirror for parents to understand their children".[29]
Meena Iyer of The Times of India gave the film 3.5 out of 5, citing its "simple narrative told humorously" and noting that despite a sense of déjà vu for readers of the original novel, the adaptation still "manages to charm and surprise".[30] Paloma Sharma of Rediff.com also rated it 3.5 stars, stating, "There's nothing that should keep you from watching 2 States".[31]
Mohar Basu of Koimoi gave it 3 out of 5 stars, praising the chemistry between the leads but noting that the film "misses the magic of Chetan Bhagat's novel".[32]DNA India found the first half "light and breezy" but criticized the second half for being overly dramatic.[33]
More mixed responses came from other reviewers. Anupama Chopra of Hindustan Times rated the film 2.5 out of 5, stating 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".[34]Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV also gave 2.5 stars, calling the narrative "occasionally funny and sweet" but ultimately "stultified" due to its overextended central conflict.[35]Shubhra Gupta of The 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".[36]
A Telugu-language remake of 2 States, with the same title and starring Adivi Sesh and Shivani Rajashekar in the lead roles, was announced in 2019. Directed by debutant Venkat Reddy and produced by M. V. V. Satyanarayana, the film commenced production but was eventually shelved due to creative differences and scheduling conflicts.[48][49][50]
Notes
↑ Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.
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