If there is one author who really makes aspiring authors of India dream and look up to in terms of success and fame achieved, it's none other than CHETAN BHAGAT. Though Amish Tripathi is killing these days but still, there's some thing about Chetan Bhagat which will always remain immortal- his naturalness and laymen-friendly language used in the books. He uses very less characters in his book but still makes it look as a Blockbuster movie playing in front of our eyes. I became his fan in 2009 and till date, the coolness that I find in his book is still missing in the books I read by other authors. His brother, Ketan Bhagat, with his debut novel, Complete/Convenient almost reached the mark that his celebrity brother is known for. But still, Chetan Bhagat is a legend and will remain to be in the world of Indian book-selling history.
I am just done reading "2 States" for the second time; I read it last time when it came out in 2009. Whenever I go to watch any of the movies adapted by an Indian author's book, I make sure that I read it again just before watching the movie to judge how the adaptation has been done than finding out how entertaining the movie is. It was great to read film's opening day success as I was turning the pages of the book to finish it as soon as possible so that I can watch the movie on its 2nd day. :-) 2 States is a very unique story where the author discusses inter-community marriages in modern India. And it's true. The dilemma still exists among old generation if their children should chose their own life partners and if yes, then if they should be from the same community or any.
Book starts with the campus life and how the two people came together. It's wonderful to observe the transformation that takes place in the character of Ananya in the whole book. The way corporate life is discussed also made me laugh with the character of Bala and his similar bossy attitude that he keeps giving to Krish. I loved the entrance of Krish's mother in the convocation ceremony when she taunts how the Madrasis have an eye upon Punjabi boys by giving examples of Hema Malini and Sridevi. The tension between the father and son is also written and explained quite well throughout the book. But I loved the way climax took place. The most powerful scene in the book is when Krish goes back in flashback and tells about his physical attack on his father by him. There's a moment when Ananya says "Fuck off" to Krrish in the second half of second half (Well!). That scene has been the most humorous to me including all the dialogue parts between the respective protagonist's parents. :-)
If you will ask me to mention some drawback- I would say there is none except the chapter being stretched more than enough while describing the Duke's wedding scene. That's all. Else, I loved how CB mentions some funny behavior and traits of both the communities. I loved the way he spoke almost everything he had in his mind because it could have played against him if someone would have taken this book seriously. It's estimated that almost 2 crore people have read 2 STATES. What star would I give to a book that's already been read by almost everyone and that too when the movie of it has also been released today. But for me, it is 4.9/5.
Thanks.
ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!
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2 comments:
I came across your blog recently.Its really great that you are blogging continuously about the books you read.But was just wondering why are you not reading serious literature/literary fiction.If not literary fiction you could take up some quality genre fiction.From your blog count it is clear that you spend a lot of time with book but this time can be better utilized and more pleasurable if you get yourself into better quality fiction than you are currently into.
Very good Movie 2 States is a happy film (with measured anguish). Romance in cross-cultural or even cross-border situations isn't new to Bollywood. What makes 2 States work is the simple narrative told humorously. Adapted as it is, from one of author Chetan Bhagat's best-selling works, the film, just like the book before it, is light-hearted. Chetan's funny one-liners and life-view are studiously borrowed by the director for his screen outing. And though there is a sense of deja-vu, for those who have read the book, the movie still manages to charm and surprise. Krish Malhotra (Arjun) and Ananya Swaminathan(Alia) meet on the IIM Ahmedabad campus. Sparks fly between economic coaching and food poaching. Their tender love, compulsive copulation and kissing chemistry (adeptly portrayed by the young screen lovers) make this couple reason that they could spend a lifetime together. But in India, where tradition and parents are nurtured, couples have to literally marry each other's families. Incidentally, for those in an inter-caste marriage, this movie could resonate like your own tale. The playful digs at each other's cultures, the self-deprecating remarks about one's family and community are all laugh-out-loud moments. Amrita-Ronit, Revathi-Shiv Subramaniam infuse life into their roles of the Punjabi and Tamil parents. The spitfire Alia and a sober Arjun are also lovable. If you are in a mood for a Bollywood family saga with measured melodrama and the right amount of naach-gaana, visit 2 States.
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