Actor Arjun Kapoor recently revealed how his co-star Alia Bhatt faced significant backlash when she was cast in the 2014 film 2 States, a romantic comedy based on Chetan Bhagat's bestselling novel of the same name. Despite the film’s eventual success at the box office, Alia initially received a lot of hate for taking on the role of a South Indian character, a casting choice that many believed didn’t fit her.
Arjun, who played the male lead in the film, opened about the struggles Alia faced before 2 States hit theaters.
In an interview with Mashable India, Arjun shared how Alia was subjected to disdain and harsh criticism when the news broke that she had been cast in the film.
"There was absolute disdain and hatred against Alia on social media when she signed 2 States," Arjun recalled. The backlash stemmed from the fact that many people believed Alia, who was primarily known for her role in Student of the Year, didn’t fit the bill for the South Indian character of Ananya Swaminathan. "They said she didn’t look like a South Indian, and her previous film Student Of The Year hadn’t given her that kind of recognition that was needed to play that role," Arjun explained.
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Despite the criticism, Alia took it all in stride. Arjun praised her resilience and dedication, highlighting how she never let the negativity affect her work. "She just kept her head down and worked. I never heard her complain about anything on the set," he said. Alia’s commitment to the role impressed everyone around her, as she not only performed well in her audition but also gave her all during the shoot. "She did an audition, she did a photoshoot, and that was the day they decided that she is the right choice for the role," Arjun recalled.
At the time, there were other established names who were in the running for the role, but Alia’s determination and hard work won over the filmmakers. What’s even more remarkable, as Arjun pointed out, is that Alia was simultaneously shooting for Highway, another film that was released just before 2 States.
While Highway showcased a different side of her acting abilities, it was 2 States that truly changed the public's perception of her. "The world’s opinion of Alia Bhatt changed completely in just one Friday," Arjun noted, referring to the impact the film had on her career.
2 States, directed by Abhishek Varman, explored the story of a couple from different cultural backgrounds navigating their families' differing expectations. The film, which also starred Ronit Roy, Amrita Singh, and Revathy, was praised by both critics and audiences. Celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan and Prabhudheva also lauded the film, and it went on to perform well at the box office. The movie became a turning point for Alia, who proved that she could break through stereotypes and take on diverse roles.
As for Arjun, he is currently enjoying the success of his recent film Singham Again, where he plays an antagonist for the first time. Directed by Rohit Shetty, Singham Again features an ensemble cast including Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, and Tiger Shroff. On the other hand, Alia’s most recent film Jigra didn’t fare well at the box office, but she remains focused on her upcoming projects, including Alpha.
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