2 States - Book Launch & Book Review

I was at the Book Launch function in Chennai (Loyola College) where Chetan and Shruti Hassan read out parts of the book to a 1000 plus audience, including tonnes of students, some celebrities and his family. The presentation that Chetan made on "Why Tamil girls are better than Punjabi girls" was hilarious and had the audience cheering along!

As I was sitting next to Chetan's inlaws, I managed to check up whether there was any truth in the semi-autobiographical stories related by Chetan, particularly in "2 States". His MIL, who actually seemed a very sweet lady, smiled and said "Not at all" - but ofcourse!

Here are some take aways from the Book Launch..

• Chetan - Never mind the ad line that he has become the biggest English novelist in India - he came across as a simple guy, with an earnest and endearing manner. His English was spoken with a really strong Punjabi Accent!!
• The celebrities - There was quite an assembly - Kushboo, Suhasini, Shruti Hassan being the most recognizable. There were also some DJs, drama artistes and so on.. The cutest were Chetan's young boys (twins, around 6 yrs old or so). When Chetan started the launch asking, "Who has read my book?" - I was really amused when both his boys put their hands up!!
• Suhasini - spoke about her Tamil education, late entry to reading English books and an incident soon after her marriage that had her in tears (finding CIBACA in the bathroom and the thought that she would have to adopt to a life time of a toothpaste that she did not like..). Ofcourse, the anecdote concluded with the happy story of the toothpaste transformation that has happenned in the Mani Ratnam household - ALL IZZZ WELL!
• Kushboo - spoke about her being the "Tamilian" daughter-in-law of the entire state - given her celebrity status (cmon people, we made a temple for her in Tamil Nadu at one stage)
• Shruti Hassan - book reading was sweet and she consciouly "Bleeped" objectionable words. Turned out to be the best looking celebrity of the evening - much to the glee and catcalls from the gang of students that had attended - after all the venue was at Loyola College!
• Me - I managed to arrive early and so got front row seats. I got to ask Chetan a question on the movie 3 idiots - before some of the controversy and huge success of the movie! I also managed to beat hundreds of students and get to Chetan and got him to autograph my edition of 2 states (more for posterity than anything else - also the Monica in me couldn't resist the challenge of seeing if I could!)
• After the book launch, got wet in the pouring rain. Was fantastic!

Now for some takes on the book..

Two States is the story of Krish and Ananya. The fundamental premise is quite stale - two people from different states of India who fall in love and want to get married. We have seen it so many times in books and movies - whether it was North meets South in the famous movie "Ek Duje Ke Liye" or in culture clashes in "Alaigal Oyevadithillai".

The presentation ofcourse is distinctly different and that is what makes Chetan's book eminently readable.

Chetan's writing style would not appeal to a highly sophisticated reader or a wordsmith looking for flowing prose punctuated with refined language. It however strikes the right chord with the average Indian reader since it is easy to understand and updated to the current day conversation style.

The book is certainly humorous. A hard core Chennaiite such as myself (or so I like to think) could have been offended by some of the merciless jokes and digs Chetan takes, but I found them really funny!

The book produces an urge in every reader to read aloud to anyone else in the room since the jokes are the kind you want to share with someone - I believe that this is a great testimonial for the author.

I have read all of Chetan's books - right from Five point someone, One night at a Call center and Three mistakes of my life! I have earlier felt that they were progressively getting worse. However Chetan, with 2 states has managed a "Volte Face". I felt that this was his best book so far..

I am quite sure that after the stupendous response to "3 idiots" which was based on "Five point someone", it is only a matter of time before "2 States" is also made into a movie..

Here is my casting for the movie - Asin/Vidya Balan and Shahid Kapoor - What is yours?