When 2 States released, it quickly became a favourite among readers of Chetan Bhagat ’s bestselling novel and moviegoers discovering the story for the first time. The pairing of Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt captured attention, while the film’s music resonated with young audiences. However, behind the scenes, not everyone was initially confident about the casting — including the author himself.

In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, Bhagat admitted that he was surprised when newcomers were signed for the lead roles, especially after learning that top stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra were under consideration.

“For 2 States, bigger stars were being talked about. Shah Rukh Khan was being considered. There was also a time when Vishal Bhardwaj was going to make it. Then

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