Alia Bhatt faced ‘absolute disdain and hatred’ over 2 States casting, reveals Arjun Kapoor: ‘She never complained’

Arjun Kapoor recalled the time Alia Bhatt received 'hatred'' for playing a South Indian character in 2 States.

Chennai | November 26, 2024 11:15 AM IST

3 min read

Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor in a still from 2 States.

Arjun Kapoor recently opened up about the backlash Alia Bhatt faced when she was cast as Ananya Swaminathan, a Tamilian, in 2 States. According to the Gunday actor, many doubted Alia’s ability to portray a South Indian character and argued that she didn’t fit the role visually. However, the release of her critically acclaimed film Highway—which hit theatres before 2 States—helped change audience perceptions.

Speaking to Mashable India, Arjun revealed, “There was absolute disdain and hatred against Alia on social media when she signed 2 States. It was because they said she doesn’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, which was already established at that point because many people had read the book. There were also other big names that were considered exciting and visually relevant for the role. But Alia just kept her head down and worked. I never heard her complain about anything on the set. 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 further highlighted that Alia was simultaneously shooting Imtiaz Ali’s Highway while working on 2 States. He shared how Highway significantly impacted people’s perception of her acting abilities. “She shot Highway and 2 States at the same time. Highway released just before 2 States and the world’s opinion of Alia Bhatt changed completely and in just one Friday.”

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2 States was based on Chetan Bhagat’s 2009 novel of the same name, with the story adapted for the screen by the film’s director, Abhishek Varman, in collaboration with Bhagat. The film was a box office success. Alia Bhatt, who made her debut in Bollywood with a glamorous role in Karan Johar’s Student of the Year, quickly proved her acting prowess with her second film, Highway. The road drama earned her widespread acclaim from audiences and critics alike and has since achieved cult status, remaining one of the most celebrated performances of her career.

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