Sajid Nadiadwala and Karan Johar officially announce first co-production with Arjun Kapoor as the Punjabi munda

Meena Iyer (BOMBAY TIMES; June 28, 2012)

 

Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots, which is ‘loosely adapted’ from Chetan Bhagat’s Five Point Someone is the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time. Now, B-Town has woken up to another of this author’s works. In a time when films based on best-selling novels are fast becoming a trend, market-savvy producer Sajid Nadiadwala who has in his long career, been responsible for many blockbusters including the recent Housefull 2; purchased the rights of Bhagat’s 2 States at an exorbitant sum. From that point onwards, 2 States has been making headlines continuously. Every top actor’s publicity machinery has leaked out fake stories on how it was their client who was being considered for the role of the Punjabi college lad. Now the speculation has come to an end.

Sajid has joined hands with Karan Johar for 2 States. And the hero is Arjun Kapoor. Debutant Abhishek Varman, who worked with K Jo on My Name is Khan and is also the creative director on Student of the Year, will direct 2 States.

Sajid, on vacation in Europe, called us to explain how his association with Karan is an emotional one. Said he, “I looked up to Karan’s father Yash Johar when I started out. Yashji was my friend, philosopher and guide. Whenever I needed advice, I’d drive to his Mahalaxmi office. So you see, my association with Karan is not new. For some time now, there has been speculation about this association. There has also been tremendous curiosity over the casting. The suspense is over. Karan and I are co-producing 2 States and Arjun Kapoor is our hero.’’

Reciprocating sentiments, Karan says, “Sajid is an exceptional producer. His pulse on mainstream cinema coupled with his tremendous track record has placed him in an enviable position. I’m honoured to collaborate with him on 2 States; a film that I believe is one of the most traditionally identifiable love stories that I have recently read.’’

Both producers are also unanimous in their views on the hero of the film. Says Sajid, “I have known Arjun since the time he weighed 140 kgs. He’s now a cool dude who’s turned out to be a good actor and a heartthrob for millions. He is the perfect hero.’’
Karan quips, “Arjun is wonderful and a supremely talented addition to the young bracket of actors in the movie industry. Both Sajid and I have implicit faith in his portrayal of our protagonist.’’

Both producers are also on the same page as far as their choice of the film’s director goes. Said Sajid, “I bought the rights of 2 States because I loved the book. Abhishek (Varman) has done a fantastic job of the adaptation. The love story in this book is very beautiful.’’

K Jo adds, “Abhishek Varman who is my creative director on SOTY is a true talent in every way.’’

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It was Arjun Kapoor’s rugged Parma avatar and Imran Khan’s schedule that helped him bag the lead role in Nadiadwala and KJo’s 2 States

Mehul S Thakkar (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 28, 2012)

 

For the last two years, Sajid Nadiadwala has been dabbling with the idea of adapting Chetan Bhagat’s popular novel 2 States for the silver screen. However, plans for the production failed to materialise with the lead role changing hands and even directors leaving the project. The film that was initially supposed to star Shah Rukh Khan later went to Ranbir Kapoor and then to Imran Khan. And now, Arjun Kapoor seems to have won the race.

Mirror found out that Imran, though keen on playing the north Indian hero, required time to prepare for his part. But the makers Nadiadwala and Karan Johar wanted to kickstart the project before the actor’s specified dates in February-March 2013. And Imran had to bow out.

In the meantime, pleased with Arjun’s portrayal of the rustic Parma in Ishaqzaade, the co-producers decided to cast him in 2 States. One-film-old Arjun immediately agreed. And now the film will go on floors by September. A source close to the film revealed, “Arjun has a three-film deal with YRF. But the contract isn’t exclusive. He is allowed to work in other productions as well. Karan wanted to capitalize on Arjun’s popular rustic north Indian image and cast him as the male lead in 2 States.” A source from Dharma told us, “Karan wasn’t comfortable with the casting rumours. He likes to announce the film with the entire cast and was waiting for Sajid to return from abroad. They have still not locked the girl but it might be a new face. All depends on the film’s director, Abhishek Verman.” As for Imran, busy with his current projects, the actor had already committed to Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai sequel followed by Tigmanshu Dhulia’s film (Milan Talkies) and the promotion of Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola.