When 2 States released in 2014, it instantly struck a chord with audiences across the country. The romantic drama, based on Chetan Bhagat’s best-selling novel of the same name, followed the love story of a Punjabi boy and a South Indian girl who fight cultural differences and parental disapproval to get married. Starring Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor in the lead roles, the film became one of the biggest hits of that year, earning both critical praise and box office success.
However, not many know that the film almost looked entirely different when it was first conceptualized. In a surprising revelation, author Chetan Bhagat recently disclosed that superstar Shah Rukh Khan and global icon Priyanka Chopra were originally considered to play the lead roles in the cinematic adaptation of his book.
The Original Plan: SRK and Priyanka as Krish and Ananya
In a recent interview, Bhagat opened up about the early stages of the 2 States film project. According to him, the initial discussions involved some of Bollywood’s biggest stars. Shah Rukh Khan was the first choice to play Krish Malhotra, the Punjabi boy from Delhi, while Priyanka Chopra was set to play Ananya Swaminathan, the intelligent and spirited Tamilian girl.
Bhagat revealed that the team had even initiated talks with Shah Rukh and Priyanka, and both stars had shown interest at the time. “It was a dream combination. Imagine Shah Rukh and Priyanka in a love story that explores India’s cultural divide — it would have been magical,” Bhagat said. “But things didn’t work out due to scheduling and creative reasons. Eventually, the project took a different route.”
Had the original plan materialized, the movie would have brought together two of Bollywood’s most popular actors, who were already known for their sizzling on-screen chemistry in films like Don and Don 2.
Chetan Bhagat’s Initial Doubts About the Final Casting
Once the project moved into a new phase under Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Sajid Nadiadwala, the casting saw a complete shift. Instead of seasoned superstars, the makers decided to go with younger actors who could bring freshness to the love story. Alia Bhatt, who had recently made her debut with Student of the Year, was roped in to play Ananya, while Arjun Kapoor, who was still new in the industry, was chosen for the role of Krish.
Chetan Bhagat admitted that he was initially skeptical about this decision. “To be honest, I had my doubts,” he confessed. “At that time, both Arjun and Alia were fairly new. My story was very close to my heart, and I wondered whether such young actors could carry the emotional depth and maturity needed for these characters.”
He explained that the story of 2 States isn’t just a light-hearted romance — it delves into serious themes of identity, parental approval, and cultural differences. “It was important to have performances that felt real and heartfelt,” Bhagat added. “I was worried whether the new generation of actors could connect with audiences in the same way a Shah Rukh or Priyanka could.”
The Success That Silenced All Doubts
However, when the film finally hit theatres, all of Bhagat’s concerns vanished. Both Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor won over audiences with their chemistry, charm, and earnest performances. The film turned out to be a massive box-office success, earning more than ₹100 crore worldwide.
“After watching the film, I realized I was wrong to doubt them,” Bhagat admitted. “Alia brought incredible energy and authenticity to Ananya. She captured the Tamil girl’s grace and strength perfectly. And Arjun was so natural as Krish — you could feel his sincerity in every scene.”
The author further praised the film’s director, Abhishek Varman, for striking the right balance between romance and realism. “Abhishek did a wonderful job adapting the story. It wasn’t easy to translate such a complex cultural narrative into a mainstream love story, but he made it work beautifully,” he said.
From Page to Screen: A Journey That Paid Off
2 States became one of the rare examples where a book adaptation managed to retain the heart of the source material while also succeeding commercially. The film’s music, composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, also played a key role in its success, with songs like “Mast Magan” and “Locha-E-Ulfat” becoming instant hits.
Reflecting on the journey, Bhagat said, “Looking back, I feel everything happened for a reason. Maybe 2 States needed that youthful charm that Alia and Arjun brought. It connected with young India in a way that perhaps a senior cast couldn’t have.”
While the idea of Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra starring in 2 States remains an interesting “what if” scenario for fans, the eventual casting proved to be a masterstroke. Both Alia and Arjun went on to establish themselves as strong performers in Bollywood, and the film continues to be one of the most loved romantic dramas of the decade.
In the end, as Chetan Bhagat himself put it, “Cinema is unpredictable. Sometimes, you think you need stars, but what really matters is sincerity — and 2 States had plenty of that.”
