When 2 States released, it felt like a breath of fresh air — for readers who loved Chetan Bhagat’s bestselling novel and for moviegoers discovering the story for the first time. The on-screen pairing of Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt became an instant favourite, and the film’s soulful music struck a chord with every young couple in love. But behind the scenes, not everyone was initially convinced — including the author himself.

In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, 2 States author Chetan Bhagat admitted that he was disappointed when newcomers were cast in the lead roles, especially after hearing that top stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra were being considered.

“For 2 States, bigger stars were being talked about. Shah Rukh Khan was being considered. There was also a time when

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