NOVEL VS MOVIE - (4) 2 STATES

Novel – 2 STATES (2009) by Chetan Bhagat

Movie – 2 STATES (2014) by Abhishek Varman

Characters – Krish Malhotra, Ananya Swaminathan

THE PLOT

2 States is a story of Krish (a Punjabi) and Ananya (Tamilian) who meet each other at India’s best educational institution, IIM-A, become friends, fall in love and eventually plans to get married. They get down into the art of convincing their parents and their to-be in laws instead of eloping. 2 States are involved and so the culture, tradition, mindset, way of living of their parents differ. Krish and Ananya struggle a lot and finally make it to a big fat Indian wedding! 

NOVEL VS MOVIE

There were not many differences between the novel and movie. But the second part of the film which was the crux to the whole story, seemed like quite hurriedly taken. A few scenes (included in promo) were cut off, just not to hurt the sentiments of the South Indians (Offo!) and there were some changes with the Companies where Krish and Ananya gets placed. The boring episodes of Krish getting transferred, his boss and his colleagues at Chennai are omitted (Thank God)  

NICE QUOTES FROM THE NOVEL

1. “Life is not to be taken seriously, as we are really temporary here. We are like a pre-paid card with limited validity. If we are lucky, we may last another 50 years. And 50 years is just 2,500 weekends. Do we really need to get so worked up? It’s ok, bunk a few classes, goof up a few interviews, fall in love. We are people, not programmed devices.” 

2. “Why should any guy want to be only friends with a girl? It’s like agreeing to be near a chocolate cake and never eat it. It’s like sitting in a racing car but not driving it.” 

3. This is the absolute, last humiliation I will go through to get the love of my life. 

4. See now all your wedding pictures will have mickey mouse, uncle said, confirming that my humiliation would continue for the rest of my life. 

5. I love you and your father and your mother and your brother  and your relatives, I said.

I love you and your clan too, she said.

MY REVIEW

Firstly, Arjun and Aliaa’s cross culture romance is subtly adorable. Ronit Roy plays an amazing role of Krish’s father and their relationship is well shot. Amrita Singh, who casts a typical Punjabi mom role, does her best but is quite annoying from a South Indian’s point of view, especially when she assaults Madrasis. “90% of the Tamilians are literates” – the reply from Ananya’s mom (Actress Revathy) makes us raise the collars. Anyway am not in here to create a clash between Punjabis and Tamilians as the roles have been played just based on the novel. It has to be understood that every individual irrespective of caste and community are special in their own way!! 

Few scenes from the novel were excellently adapted and depicted, which made me spell bound (Ananya’s speech at Duke’s wedding).The scenes have various locations like Ahmedabad, Chennai, Punjab, Goa and there is a strong connectivity between the happenings in different states just like it did in the novel. The marriage scene (climax) was the shortest and all the expectations dropped down when it ended so quickly.  The songs, potrays their intimacy and strikes the chord thereby attracting the young gen of the Country. 

Overall a very nice movie and is definitely worth a watch, but needless to say the essence of the story is still retained back in the novel. 

Rating 4/5