I have heard a lot about Chetan Bhagat. Infact I have read one of his books – One night in a call center and I just did not think anything great about the book. Many of my friends who read/like Chetan Bhagat’s writings wanted me to read 2 States. I looked for it in my library did not find it, forgot all about it. A few days back, I saw this book at a friend’s place and on a whim decided to pick it up.

The book is a freaking movie. Every second/chapter is filmy. Starting from pillow fights to passing love notes. For stereotypes to stupidity. I mean I read not because I want to see a movie. I would probably have loved it as a movie (given that the hero was good-looking). But as a book, no. Not even a weekend read. It is hilarious at parts but most of the times, I can predict what happens and it seems so Bollywoodish.

When I read, I look for 3 things – story, the language (the way the book is written, the style) and the imagination of the author (some imaginations just blow my mind off). There are many a books that I read just for 1 of the 3 and I am happy but unfortunately 2 States gives me nothing from the 3 I want.

If you still want to know the gist of a the story, here it is – IIMA classmates, Krish from Punjab and Ananya from Mylapore fall in love. Family opposes. Krish moves to Tamil Nadu woos Ananya’s dad by making his bank presentations, tutors Ananya’s bro for his IIT exams and makes Ananya’s mom a singer. Ananya goes to a Punjabi wedding and convinces the groom not to demand a Hyundai Accent but be happy with the Santro. She also throws in that she earns 25K. Both sides reach a sort of truce only to be broken by some expectations. Couple breakup. Krish goes crazy – meets a psychiatrist – tells her the story – she laughs (how filmy is that? and oh this is where the book starts). Krish’s dad thinks his son is a good for nothing (because flashback – Krish stops his dad from physically abusing him and his mother) but it pains to see his son becoming Devadas so goes to Chennai and apologizes to Ananya’s parents – fix marriage date. If you are still reading and not bored – there is more drama. Krish’s dad refuses to come for wedding because his in-laws are also coming. But comes in the last minute. Tamasha at a TamBrahm wedding. Ananya wears lehanga to satisfy Punjabi inlaws at reception. Ananya’s father gives touching speech, Punjabi style dancing, no paneer complaints. And there is more. Twin boys and the story ends – you do not wait for the credits to roll – you just want to run away.

Not my kind of book.