SRK starring in adaptation of "Two States" to be directed by Vishal B?

[Kajolownsyou]

Don't know if this is reliable, but it's been making the rounds!


 

Shahrukh Khan in ‘Two States’ adaptation
Written by Nikita Kapoor      
Thursday, 16 December 2010 19:59
 
After attracting lime light from the 3 Idiots controversy, Chetan Bhagat has bitten by the movie bug, and has taken up novel writing as his full time profession. Though 3 Idiots had hardly anything in common or inspired from Chetan’s 5 point someone, still the hoopla created around was a producer’s nightmare and a marketer’s (read Chetan’s) delight. Well anyway the news is that one more producer is trying his luck with another adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s novel “Two States”.
 

 
Sajid Nadiadwala who has bought the rights for this upcoming untitled project will have Vishal Bhardwaj helming the affairs. But the biggest news is that protagonist in the movie will be none other than Shahrukh Khan. As per reports Sajid and Vishal approached Shahrukh with the script and Shahrukh who has already expressed interest to work with Vishal many a times quite liked the script.
 
Earlier we reported that Sajid was planning the film with Saif Ali Khan and Priyanka Chopra which would have been directed by Siddharth Anand, but after Priyanka Chopra starrer Anjaana Anjaani went for a toss at box office Sajid completely changed his mind.
 
As per Chetan Bhagat, “Two States” is his own story; the main protagonist is a Punjabi boy who falls in love with a Tamil girl while pursuing their MBA at IIM Ahmedabad, as the two belong to extreme cultures (North – South) of India, what follows is tension and drama with happily married ending.
 
We tried taking confirmation about the story from Shahrukh before publishing the news, though the star as well as his manager remained unavailable for a comment.

http://www.filmitadka.in/20101216529/gossip/shahrukh-khan-in-two-states-adaptation.html

[James]

SRK shouldn't be playing a college boy at this stage of his career, just in my personal opinion.  Maybe Imran Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, or Shahid Kapoor would be a better choice.

[Kajolownsyou]

^Yeah I'm a bit concerned about that.  But it says "studying for his MBA", and I know a lot times people who are older and have been working for a while go back to school for MBAs

I don't know, we'll see.

[los angeles]

^LG sweets, true, Ms. Chandni (Margaret) is completing MBA program these days

Two States” is his own story; the main protagonist is a Punjabi boy who falls in love with a Tamil girl while pursuing their MBA at IIM Ahmedabad, as the two belong to extreme cultures (North – South) of India, what follows is tension and drama with happily married ending.

Oh this sounds so romantic!! It hasn't even started yet and I already want to see it

Maybe they can pull an SI heroine for the Tamil lady role? There are so many talented performers down South. And then they can have both Punjabi songs and SI songs in the same movie. [As a Punjabi girl who loves SI films, this sounds sublime and fantastic to me!!] It all comes down to execution and directing though, of course. Sometimes things sound so marvelous in script-stage and then they turn out really weird. So who knows But if they make this movie, I'll see it for sure

[Aishwarya4eva]

Hmmmm I would say the same thing about the college student issue,  but Vishal B. made it work for Aamir and I wasn't bothered by that at all.

[LinKarish]

Hmmmm I would say the same thing about the college student issue,  but Vishal B. made it work for Aamir and I wasn't bothered by that at all.

*confused* What film are you talking about?

[Aishwarya4eva]

^ Sorry I wasn't thinking clearly. I meant Chetan Bhagat (easy spelling mistake, I know ).

[Kajolownsyou]

^LG sweets, true, Ms. Chandni (Margaret) is completing MBA program these days

Oh this sounds so romantic!! It hasn't even started yet and I already want to see it

Maybe they can pull an SI heroine for the Tamil lady role? There are so many talented performers down South. And then they can have both Punjabi songs and SI songs in the same movie. [As a Punjabi girl who loves SI films, this sounds sublime and fantastic to me!!] It all comes down to execution and directing though, of course. Sometimes things sound so marvelous in script-stage and then they turn out really weird. So who knows But if they make this movie, I'll see it for sure

Yes the story sounds adorable! And it's so funny cuz it's kind of relateable to my family. My sister being from a Northern Indian family and my brother-in-law being Tamil. There was a lot of controversy before the marriage was set! Haha

[Aishwarya4eva]

Isn't this director known for shooting films in those darker tones? I'm excited to see SRK in that kind of work. Lately it's been colorful Billu and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, not that I'm complaining.

[los angeles]

Yes the story sounds adorable! And it's so funny cuz it's kind of relateable to my family. My sister being from a Northern Indian family and my brother-in-law being Tamil

Oh my gosh LG, how COOL!!!!! That is awesome.

There was a lot of controversy before the marriage was set! Haha

Sounds fascinating in a great way Why didn't someone make a movie on this before? Or maybe they have and I just haven't seen it yet.

I wish I marry some amazing SI guy who looks like Mahesh Babu has a very good personality []

[Kajolownsyou]

Isn't this director known for shooting films in those darker tones? I'm excited to see SRK in that kind of work. Lately it's been colorful Billu and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, not that I'm complaining.

Yes, Vishal B was the director of Omkara and Kaminey, so I'm definitely excited to see SRK working with someone like him (assuming this is true!)

Oh my gosh LG, how COOL!!!!! That is awesome.

Sounds fascinating in a great way Why didn't someone make a movie on this before? Or maybe they have and I just haven't seen it yet.

I wish I marry some amazing SI guy who looks like Mahesh Babu has a very good personality []

LOL I hope your marriage dreams come true!

[BollyThis]

Why didn't someone make a movie on this before? Or maybe they have and I just haven't seen it yet.

Haven't you seen the movie "Ek Duje Ke Liye"? It was a big hit. t was one of those cross over movie. When the south Indian director Balachandar made this movie in Tamil, he then remade it in Hindi and released it in some small theater without any fan fare...It spread word of mouth and became such a big hit.

You can watch the whole movie here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6nP3Du-Gvw

It looks like no sub title.

[victoria]

I really, really hope they are not considering casting SRK as a college student there are younger actors who are, I'm sure, just as capable of playing the part. With that being said, I would definitely like to see him in a Vishal B film!

[Darshana]

Oh sorry all of you, but I would LOVE to see Shah Rukh - and Aamir and Salman, if they like  - play a college student for the whole rest of a very long life!!

He's younger than I am, so it works fine for me.

[victoria]

^haha

As a college student, it really annoys me that someone more than old enough to be my father is trying to play someone the same age as me! That's not what college students look like! And if he's playing a college student, he'll probably be paired opposite an actress much younger than him, which also bothers me. It takes opportunities away from younger actors, and SRK has the clout to make mature roles work even for a young audience. It's just so ridiculous to me that SRK can still be playing a college student, but they're talking about Rani/Preity/Aish/Kajol being "turned out to pasture" If I never see another actor over 40 playing a college kid, it'll be too soon!

[tabula rasa]

oh, nahhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnn!!!!!!!!

I personally have a very low opinion on Chetan Bhagat's writing. And a very high opinion of Vishal B's skill as an adaptor. He captured the essence of Shakespeare and translated it so well. I only hope CB doesn't insist on writing his own screenplay - it would only make things worse. The 3I team diverged substantially from the book, and IMO actually improved the book. I can only hope that Vishal does the same - and that Chetan will have enough cowsense to shut up about it.

On another note: - if SRK plays the Northie guy - I can imagine Vidya Balan playing the Southie girl. And that would be a GREAT jodi.

[dustdevil]

Is it all possible that SRK could be playing the father of one of the characters?

Also, there are a lot a SI films that play a bit (or a lot) on the culture clash of a North-South romances.  In Abhiyum Naanum the Tamil father is stressing when his daughter brings home her Punjabi Sikh fiance.  Saamy (with Vikram) the language differences in his romance with a North Indian girl.

[elizabethbennet]

I have read the book and it is decent, easy writing and it was entertaining.

As for the film I really don't think SRK would be suitable for the male lead - seriously he is too old for this. I'd cast Ranbir and Priyamani as the leads, Rishi and Neetu for Pa & Ma of the boy and Hema and Nana for the parents of the girl. It would make a nice film, especially with Vishal Bardwaj directing.

tabula rasa - I don't think there is an essence to Two States, the book, what you read is exactly what you get

[lazybutterfly]

Oh No!

There seems to be so much wrong with this idea. Chetan Bhagat is an awful writer - I just can't imagine any of his books turning into good film material. The character is supposed to be in his early-mid twenties and SRK would be just too old. As much as I admire Vishal Bharadwaj's work as a director I don't know if he'd actually be able to pull it off. Also, if this film is getting made what is happening with his film on Dreams?

[mainhoonemily]

Chetan Bhagat is an awful writer, but the story of Two States would make a great movie.  While I was reading it I was mentally casting all the parts.  I think I finally settled on Abhay Deol and Anushka - the SI actress, not the girl from RNBDJ.    I love Shah Rukh but I'm not sure he's right for this role, but it's not like I'm going to turn down the chance to see him in a romantic movie again!

[Darshana]

Haven't read Chetan B but will take people's word he's not much as a writer - but as suggested, a poorly written book can have a good story line so I am not discouraged.

And someone who is really a creative adaptor - Shakespeare always comes to mind - can make a great drama out of any story, certainly including an alteration of the age and circumstances of the characters -- or their gender, for that matter -- so I'll keep an open mind.  I'd rather see how Bharadwaj does with an adaptation "up" - into a better story with more fully conceived characters -- than "down," which is how his Shakespeare adaptations play for me.  (In which, for my money, character three-dimensionality is written out and the story is moved closer to melodrama, though beautifully imagined visually and musically.)

[Poonam]

I really, really hope they are not considering casting SRK as a college student there are younger actors who are, I'm sure, just as capable of playing the part. With that being said, I would definitely like to see him in a Vishal B film!

He could play a thirtyish  type who goes back to college for an MBA. What's the bet they'll tweak that part of the story (now I have to go out and buy this book). Incidentally, this should be a new direction to take for VB..no dark, interior India settings!  Though I must confess I've been longing for him to do just such an intense film with SRK.

[Poonam]

He could play a thirtyish  type who goes back to college for an MBA. What's the bet they'll tweak that part of the story (now I have to go out and buy this book). Incidentally, this should be a new direction to take for VB..no dark, interior India settings!  (though I must confess I've been longing for him to do just such an intense film with SRK.) However, he has a nice, quirky sense of humour (Makdee, Kaminay) and if this project is really on, it would be fun to see that come into play.

[tabula rasa]

tabula rasa - I don't think there is an essence to Two States, the book, what you read is exactly what you get

Yes, that is exactly what's wrong with it.

I remember discussing Bhagat with someone earlier this year, and we hit on what it is that makes the books sell. Bhagat can't write, but he knows zeitgeist. He's a pro in picking topical subjects, that are racing through the minds of contemporary India. He wrote the first call centre book, and 2 states is on the North-South divide.

Just that, I'm sure there're plenty of writers who can do a far better job of it.

I'm with Darshana. I think the premise is a great one, and in the hands of a good filmmaker (who might make a decent nod towards Bhagat for the sake of propriety) it might turn into a great film, with more heart than the book. I keep thinking of his sensitivity in The Blue Umbrella. He knows how to play a tone of a scene so right, which is why I felt his Shakespeare adaptations were so great - he had the audience squirming in their seats at all the right points.

And well, we're yelling on SRK's age, but lets not forget Aamir pulled off a 3Idiots when he's around the same age as SRK. And I'd always imagined Imran in Ryan (Rancho)'s role. So you never know.

Still wanting Vidya opposite him.

[Darshana]

In the US, for sure, an MBA program usually has students in it of a range of ages -- I haven't read the book and don't know how much the character's "youth" is important in the story, how naive, unformed, beginning-of-life he has to be -- but I can easily see SRK as someone in his 30s, in a classroom with people ranging from 22 to that age or older.  

A guy who just left his mom and dad's home at 18 for the first time to live at college,  I guess that's a stretch - though I will stay on the record as not caring!