On November 3, 2025, bestselling author Chetan Bhagat revealed that superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra were the top choices to lead the 2014 romantic drama 2 States, even before Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt brought the North-South love story to life. Speaking exclusively, Bhagat reminisced about the film’s turbulent pre-production, when Vishal Bhardwaj was set to direct and names like SRK, Saif Ali Khan, and Priyanka dominated casting buzz. “There was a time Vishal Bharadwaj was going to make it. Shah Rukh Khan was being considered… Priyanka Chopra’s name was also discussed,” he shared, admitting he was initially “not convinced” about the final youthful duo. The revelation, trending with 1 million #2StatesCasting X mentions, revives the film’s ₹175 crore legacy in India’s ₹101 billion entertainment empire, where 467 million social media users dissect every “what if.”
A Bhardwaj Vision and Starry Speculations
2 States, adapted from Bhagat’s 2009 novel about Krish Malhotra (a Punjabi boy) and Ananya Swaminathan (a Tamilian girl) navigating cultural clashes at IIM Ahmedabad, was a cinematic gamble that paid off handsomely under Dharma Productions. But its path to screens was riddled with detours. Early on, Dharma Productions attached Vishal Bhardwaj—known for gritty adaptations like Haider—to the helm, sparking headlines with A-list pairings. “I think articles mentioning names of most actors did come out,” Bhagat chuckled, recalling the media frenzy. SRK, then riding high post-Chak De! India (2007), was eyed for Krish’s charm, while Priyanka, fresh from Dostana (2008), suited Ananya’s fire. Saif Ali Khan was also floated as an alternative, promising a mature spin on the interfaith romance. Yet, Bhardwaj’s exit paved the way for debutant director Abhishek Varman, who pivoted to fresh faces: Arjun (post-Ishaqzaade 2012) and Alia (Student of the Year 2012).
Bhagat’s Candid Doubts: Youth Over Stardom
Bhagat didn’t sugarcoat his skepticism: “To be honest, when they said there’s a new director and it’s Arjun Kapoor, who had one movie, and Alia Bhatt, who had one movie… I wasn’t convinced.” The shift from established icons to newcomers felt risky, especially after the high-profile whispers. But the gamble dazzled: Arjun and Alia’s raw chemistry, amplified by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s soulful soundtrack (Locha Nasha, Iska Kya Naam), turned skeptics into superfans. “It was such a nice casting… their freshness and youth made the movie what it was,” Bhagat conceded, praising how the duo’s inexperience mirrored the characters’ vulnerability. The film, released April 18, 2014, grossed ₹175 crore worldwide, earning National Award nominations and cementing its rom-com throne.
Fan Frenzy and Bollywood’s ‘What If’ Whirlwind
Social media erupted in alternate-universe glee: “SRK-Priyanka in 2 States? Imagine the DDLJ meets Mary Kom vibes!” One viral X post quipped, amassing 500K likes, while TikToks reimagined the leads in wedding sequences. Fans praised Bhagat’s transparency, with some humorously commenting, “Thank God for Alia and Arjun—could you imagine SRK as a 30-something IIM graduate?” Nah!” The revelation ties into Bollywood’s casting lore, echoing Kai Po Che! (2013), where every actor initially said no before Sushant Singh Rajput, Rajkummar Rao, and Amit Sadh said yes. In India’s 780-language cinematic mosaic, it spotlights adaptation evolution—from starry spectacles to youth-driven hits—projecting a 20% rom-com resurgence (FICCI-EY 2025).
A Casting Coup: Youth’s Fresh Breath in Bollywood’s Romance
Chetan Bhagat’s 2 States scoop isn’t hindsight—it’s a highlight. As SRK-Priyanka fantasies fade, Arjun-Alia’s triumph endures, whispering: Can newcomers outshine icons? Their sparkling success sings yes, scripting Bollywood’s heart where fresh faces fuel eternal love stories.
-By Manoj H