Sanket’s Review: “2 States” is reasonably watchable.

Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Amrita Singh, Ronit Roy.

Director: Abhishek Verman

Length: 2 hrs and 29 minutes.

External forces in love stories have always been a hurdle in Bollywood films. Although 2 STATES is not all about that, but the crux of the film is drawn around the same plot. Staying mostly faithful to Chetan Bhagat’s novel of the same name, 2 STATES has too much in store to offer, but it takes too long to bring it to you. Longing for around two and half hours, there are times you feel the lack of conviction in the story as well as the direction resulting in overlong scenes slackening the pace often.

Yet, the film has refreshing approach especially when the story begins in the college days when the romance breezes through enough humor and young emotions which Verman executes with aplomb. The conversational love-story that starts on a sparkling note continues without any bumps. Its when Arjun reaches Chennai when the film begins to get repetitive wooing the family. The purpose isn’t exactly chalked out from beginning that the audience could follow. Still, there are some heartening little scenes like the one, where Alia Bhatt’s mom reaches singing stage and strings some nice songs together, which estranges the film from its flaws.

The film benefits enormously from Amrita Singh and Arjun kapoor’s regular issues which the director handles with utmost maturity. Although the film could have chosen more interesting route to reach its finale. The shaky sentiments shared between Arjun and his dad has its moment but it gets more due then what it deserved.

The songs fit nicely in the story and the music is refreshing. The dialogues are relatable in beginning but as the film goes ahead in predictable zone, the dialogues too start getting clichéd. The novel, from which the screenplay is adapted was a good read but Verman should have chopped off the unrequited and unwarranted parts in the film. Although whatever Verman has brought to the table as a director is appreciable.

Arjun Kapoor does exceedingly well initially but once the film mixes in the emotional and dramatic genre, the graph of his performance drops. Yet, it’s a tad better comeback after disappointing with his acting in “Aurangzeb” and “Gunday”. Alia Bhatt is terrific and displays nice blend of vulnerability and spunk in her performance. But its Amrita Singh who knocks it out of the park in rather commanding role. She plays a mischievous yet matured woman with excellence.

2 STATES is not at all bad way to spend a lazy afternoon. It has enough elements to glue you to your seats throughout. Although one does feel the sense of repetitiveness and slowed pace in the film. Its not your must-watch romantic drama, although there’s no harm catching it once.

Rating- 2.5/5