Actor Arjun Kapoor has shared that his 2 States (2014) co-star Alia Bhatt faced a lot of hatred for being cast in the romantic comedy drama. Bhatt, who portrayed a Tamilian girl in the Abhishek Verman directorial, was trolled for apparently not looking the part.

Kapoor revealed in an interview with Mashable India, “There was absolute disdain and hatred against Alia on social media when she signed 2 States. It was because they said she doesn’t look like a South Indian and her previous film Student Of The Year (2012) hadn’t given her that kind of recognition that was needed to play that role, which was already established at that point because many people had read the book.”

The 39-year-old shared, “There were also other big names that were considered exciting and visually relevant for the role. But Alia just kept her head down and worked. I never heard her complain about anything on the set. She did an audition; she did a photoshoot, and that was the day they decided that she is the right choice for the role.”

He added, “She (Bhatt) shot Highway (2014) and 2 States at the same time. Highway released just before 2 States, and the world’s opinion of Alia Bhatt changed completely and in just one Friday.”

2 States was adapted into a film from a book of the same name penned by writer Chetan Bhagat. The story revolved around a couple who hailed from different cultural backgrounds.