In order to impress his hardcore Tamilian future in-laws when Krish
[Arjun Kapoor entering into a completely new territory of Bollywood’s safest
road to win hearts; the romantic comedies], a Punjabi Chap brings
Engagement-rings for everyone in the family, the statement comes out loud and
clear, “Marry one-marry all”. Indian weddings can never get more comprised than
in this particular scene in debutante Abhishek Verman’s 2 STATES. Impressive,
moving and very well done but the biggest question here is if fine film-making
could really save a film with absolute no meat in the plot and all ‘done in the
past’ predictability that comes handy in any such Bollywood Film. Sadly, the
answer falls in negative.
Based on the bestseller of Chetan Bhagat’s kind of autobiographical
novel of same name, 2 STATES tries to bring two different cultures, two
different families helmed by their own set of lifestyles and ‘hard to break or
mold’ establishments in thoughts, under one wedding-Mandup. Krish falls in love
with Ananya [Alia Bhatt comfortably stepping in the shoes]. Ananya falls for
Krish too but their families don’t as one comes from the loud Punjabi culture
and the other backed by Tamilian traditions.
The boy and girl try to woo their parents in any which way they could
but rather than getting excited and on your nerves to find out how, you would
end up waiting with a big ‘when’ on your face. The plot that shares similarities
with most of the Indian love stories produced in the past never actually rises
from just looking great, vibrant and immensely fresh in every frame. No one
should sink in doubts that this is one of the finest in terms of cinematography
and set direction. There is hardly any frame that doesn’t make your heart feel drenched
in true Indian colors.
What kills the chance is the obviousness in the way story moves forward.
The sweat couple in love put one after another fall like house of the cards but
towards end, it doesn’t take more than a couple of minute to set all the
puzzle-pieces together. Convenience at its best! Jokes are clearly more on
colour, rituals, taste and choices in art and food and anything you could think
of easily. Though Verman controls himself from making characters stereotyped
[Alia doesn’t carry any south-Indian accent] and that should be praised
wholeheartedly!
In a deliciously ensemble cast, Amrita Singh plays a bitchy-overtly possessive
Punjabi mother to Krish with fine nuisances. Ronit Roy as his unapologetic yet
emotional father excels in most to bring lumps in your throat especially at the
end. Shiv Subramanian and Revathy play it smooth, subtle and sweet as Tamilian
parents to Ananya. Watch out for Revathy singing the soulful ‘Saathiya, yeh
tune kya kiya’ from her 1991 film LOVE! Lovely addition!!
Of the lead, Alia looks garden fresh and emotes too. Her presence sparks
the screen making it a picture perfect sight to rest your eyes. Arjun as a
geeky, confused, nervous lover boy shows his growing confidence as an actor. In
conclusion, 2 STATES is a beautiful film let down by a superficial plot and a stretched
at long duration only to ruin all the promises that could have turned the table
in a better direction all together. Alas, no signs of newness in the plot make it strictly watchable! [2.5/5]
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