Movie Review: 2 States

Release date: 18th April 2014
Director: Abhishek Varman
Rating: 3.5/5

This one has all the elements of an entertainer: a story that, in some aspect, would connect to almost anyone's heart, acting that doesn't dazzle but doesn't invite brickbats either, a totally ogle-able female lead, a couple of witty dialogues and an extremely well composed music score.

If you are an IIMA grad, my sympathies,  and wish to relive your days on campus through this, you might be in for some disappointment. The college life, the falling in love, any reference to classes/placements is such a massive blur, it flashes past before you can say, "Oye! Ye campus mein unisex showers kabse lag gaye?". Arjun and Alia look rather out of place in the overall college setup (and I am really not patronizing them). It is, perhaps, not the most exciting of starts to any movie that has been as awaited as this one.

The story and the screenplay does pickup from thereon. Bhagat's storytelling is no shakespearean sonnet, and he indulges in a whole lot of caricaturing to make the state divide as stark as it could get, and create fodder for humour - which does make an appearance on quite a few occasions. As a punjabi, I cannot be completely delighted about the way the community has been presented, but there isn't much given away to the Tamilians, so Seri, Seri! Semma Tambi, etc, etc.

A few words on the young actors: Arjun Kapoor, you can shave your beard once in a while. The guy probably has it in his contract that he will look just the same in all scenes. There is a scene with a 7 year flashback - Kapoor looks just the same. Yes, the six pack and body hugging shirt too. He has fairly good comic timing which is only helped by his droopy resting face.

Alia. Perky performance. A convincing show with the emotional moments as well. Damn cute. Very cuddly. Strikingly sweet.. gobblewobblemush!

A thumbs up to a very believable (read not-bokwaas-dictionary level) Tamilian couple in Revathy and the guy playing her husband. And yes, Ronit Roy pulls off another fine performance as a ridiculously stern and uptight father after Udaan, this time with a change of heart to go along with.

The reason I extol the good points of the movie and still hand it a 3.5 is that I am from the camp which likes melodrama, masala and mush. Maybe, there was a way to do this story without all that and still pull it off well enough or better. So, a 0.5 cut for scope for improvement.

TL; DR: Have a long weekend? Do watch. You will have your share of hahas and awwws. It might not be one of the best we see this year, but a finely packed entertainer.