Before the release this Friday of Mohit Suri's Half Girlfriend based on Chetan Bhagat's book of the same name, the writer thanked deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and for the Bihar government's support for the film.

Half Girlfriend is based on a young man from Bihar and a portion of the film has been shot at various locations in Patna. On Wednesday, Tejashwi had tweeted: "Wishing team #halfgirlfriend all the best 4 release dis Friday.May this film abt a boy frm Bihar win hearts around d country @chetan_bhagat".

Bhagat had replied: "Thank you for your best wishes! And thanks to Bihar govt for giving us so much support."

Before the film's shoot, Bhagat had approached Tejashwi in April 2016 seeking his help in the making of the film. Chetan Bhagat Entertainment Private Limited had sent a letter to Tejashwi seeking cooperation from the local authorities to provide support during the shoot. Tejashwi had replied and had written that the Bihar government will provide full cooperation, as the film would serve as a very potent tool to promote Bihar's tourism and culture to the rest of the world.

As the Arjun Kapoor-Shraddha Kapoor-starrer is set to hit the theatres on May 19, Bhagat had invited Tejashwi to attend the premiere of the film in Mumbai. But the deputy chief minister couldn't attend it because of official engagements.

"Chetan Bhagat had invited me to attend the premiere but because of unavailability of time I would not be able to attend it. But once I get free, I will surely watch the film in Patna," Tejashwi said.

He added: "Many people don't want to visit Bihar because of negative perceptions. But here is a person who approached me and the state government went all out to extend help."

In August 2016, the film's crew had visited Patna for shoots at Patna Junction, Golghar and other places.

"If you see the poster of the film it has Mahavir Temple and Buddha Smriti Park in the background. I want to thank Chetan for showing these places in the poster. I keep inviting my friends in the glamour world to visit Bihar and see the positive side of the state," Tejashwi said.

In 2015, Bhagat's book on which the film is based, got mired in controversy when the erstwhile royal family of Dumraon sent a legal notice to him and its publication seeking unconditional public apology. The family had alleged that Bhagat had used derogatory language against them and did not seek permission while referring to the Dumraon family in the book. Bhagat had agreed to change the setting of the book, including changing the name of the princely state of Dumraon to a fictional place called Simraon.

Half Girlfriend is a love story of a rural Bihari boy and a modern girl. Based on the backdrop of how English defines a class system, it talks about Madhav, who wants a relationship with the high society, urban and English-speaking Riya, but the girl is not interested in commitment. Hence, she becomes his half girlfriend.