2 States

The movie 2 States is a charming romantic drama, which was released in 2014 and stars Arjun Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and has a noteworthy supporting performance by Amrita Singh. Directed by Abhishek Varman, the film is an adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's best-selling novel of the same name, which was a semi-autobiographical account. The movie tells an emotionally charged narrative about the engagement of two young individuals from distinct sections of the country, and the consequent cultural, social, and individual challenges they experience. Though it is a modern-day love story with a heartwarming mix of quirky humor and poignant moments, 2 States grippingly deals with the societal factors that make love a complex affair in India.

Arjun Kapoor plays Krish Malhotra, a North Indian Punjabi boy, while Alia Bhatt plays his love interest, Ananya Swaminathan, a South Indian Tamilian girl. The story is set in an urban milieu with the couple meeting in a college in Ahmedabad. They fall in love during their MBA studies, at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM). However, as they plan to take their relationship to the next level, they realize the task is not as simple as it sounds.

Krish and Ananya quickly comprehend that the concept of an inter-cultural marriage does not sit well with their families. Krish's mother, portrayed compellingly by Amrita Singh, is a typical Punjabi woman who holds deep-rooted traditional beliefs and is reluctant to accept a foreign cultural addition to the family. Likewise, Ananya's Tamilian Brahmin family, especially her father, portrayed by Shiv Kumar Subramaniam, are not prepared to accept a North Indian boy as their son-in-law either. The religious and cultural divide between the families poses a hurdle for the protagonists, making it a challenging task for them to convince their families about their love.

The movie explores and gently mocks stereotypes related to different regions of India. The film uses nuanced humor to address cultural difference issues, and the script is replete with some witty dialogues that add a lighter touch to even severe situations. Some of the fine moments in the movie arise from the stark contrasts between the two families, and the evident cultural conflict providing some humor without any caricaturing. The story also addresses the clash between modern and traditional mindsets and provides an insightful commentary on how these issues influence relationships.

While the first half is essentially humorous, with lighter moments comprising college life and the developing romance between Krish and Ananya, the second half explores relatively serious themes. The intricate balances between love, acceptance, understanding, and the effort to merge into a different culture, while also respecting the families, are skillfully depicted.

Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt deliver engaging performances, embodying their characters, and their on-screen chemistry is tangible and heartwarming. Amrita Singh as the over-dramatic Punjabi mother delivers a stellar performance, swooping between comic and serious scenes with ump. The supporting cast, including Ronit Roy, who plays Krish's distant father and Revathi and Shiv Kumar Subramaniam, as Ananya's parents, shine in their respective roles.

Varman's strong, skilled direction ensures that the movie's narrative flows smoothly, the characters' sentiments shine through, the humor remains subtle, and the film's emotional moments do not turn melodramatic. He gives each character enough depth and space to perform and keeps the pace interesting throughout. The music of the film, composed by Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy, matches well with the movie's overall impact. Songs such as "Locha-E-Ulfat" and "Offon Shoffon" became popular tracks upon release.

Overall, the film 2 States is an engaging exploration of culture, tradition, and love, which manages to tackle deeper issues with light-hearted humor and emotions, offering an entertaining yet meaningful cinematic experience. It is a colorful montage of how families react when traditions meet love and what lengths lovers will go to unite their families.