Everyone is in two states of mind: Sajid Nadidawala | Bollywood - Hindustan Times
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Everyone is in two states of mind: Sajid Nadidawala

Hindustan Times | ByRoshmila Bhattacharya, Mumbai
Mar 23, 2012 02:36 PM IST

Although Sajid Nadidawala announced the film based on the Chetan Bhagat bestseller way back in 2010, it hasn’t moved very far. The problem, Nadiadwala says, is that everyone he approached for the project has been in “two states of mind.”

"I’m a huge fan of the Kamal Haasan-Rati Agnihotri love story, Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981), but didn’t think it would be right to remake the cult film,” says producer Sajid Nadiadwala.

“Then I read Chetan Bhagat’s novel, 2 States: The Story of My Marriage (2009), and was blown away by it. It had the North-South mix of the K Balachander directed blockbuster, along with the trials and tribulations of young love that made Aditya Chopra’s directorial debut, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1195) memorable. And I want to make this film.”

But though he’d announced the film way back in 2010, it hasn’t moved very far. The problem, Nadiadwala says, is that everyone he approached for the project has been in “two states of mind.”

Initially, Vishal Bharadwaj was to direct the film with Shah Rukh Khan as Krrish, a Punjabi boy from Delhi, who falls in love with Ananya, a beautiful girl from Chennai, while studying at IIM, Ahmedabad. Thereafter, a battle begins to convince their respective parents that they make a perfect match despite coming from two different states. At that time, talks were reportedly on with Priyanka Chopra to play Ananya, despite her North Indian roots.

However, before long, both Shah Rukh and Vishal exited and Saif Ali Khan and Anjaana Anjaani director Siddharth Anand entered the picture. But even the ‘chhote nawab’ had second thoughts and the buzz shifted to Imtiaz Ali and his ‘Rockstar’ Ranbir Kapoor. Both categorically denied signing the film. There was also speculation about Deepika Padukone and Asin doing Ananya’s role.

“The problem began with Chetan fixing on the title 2 States for his book,” laughs Nadiadwala. “Now, whether it’s a director or an actor, everyone is coming to me in two states of mind.” He adds: “We are still undecided on the casting. But one thing is for sure, the hero will definitely be a North Indian, a top Bollywood star. And the heroine will be from down South with an accent.”

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