Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt at INOX Quest. Picture: Pabitra Das

Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt — the stars of 2 States, releasing today — were in Calcutta recently to promote the Abhishek Varman film. Here’s what they had to say at the media conference at INOX Quest.

Arjun on working with Alia

What everybody sees in her after Highway, I had the pleasure of noticing that on the first day of 2 States. I was pleasantly surprised by her…what an amazing human being and an actress she was from Day One. I, like most people, assumed that what she played in Student of the Year would be similar to her personality. She completely blew me away. She is very unassuming. She is not constantly looking into the mirror. She is more worried about the scene and about making sure we are making a good film. She is a very mature person. I thought we have an age difference to a certain extent and might not click instantly. But we hit it off really well.

Alia on her chemistry with Arjun

I don’t know. It is up to you to say whether it is nice or bad. We didn’t think of trying to have chemistry or trying to show that we are in love. We are playing the characters and the dialogues were organic for us. It was very normal and real conversation, so we could relate to it in some way or the other.

Arjun on 2 States being offered first to Shah Rukh Khan, then Saif Ali Khan

I am flattered. That explains that the material has so much substance where people like Shah Rukh and Saif were attached and so many big directors wanted to make this film. I had confidence in the material and I jumped at it.

Alia on life after Highway

I don’t think about where I stand and which list I am in. I just want to be loved as much as possible. I had that dream since I was four years old. But unanimously, when people think about good actors, I want them to think of me first and then they can think of everyone else!

Arjun on going from assistant director to lead actor

Life comes full circle. My first pay cheque came from Dharma Productions. I was an assistant on Kal Ho Naa Ho. It was for Rs 3,000 and Mr Yash Johar signed it. I was 16 years old then and 10 years later, I got to work in the same office, met Karan Johar and he offered me 2 States. I guess there is no better way to summarise my journey from being an assistant director to an actor. Today I am playing the male lead in a Dharma Productions film. It is surreal!

Arjun on Parineeti Chopra vs Alia Bhatt

It’s like comparing chalk and cheese. I knew Parineeti because we did workshops for three months (before his debut film Ishaqzaade). I didn’t know Alia at all. My discovery of Alia happened during the making of 2 States. I was fed up of Parineeti by the time we started making the film! Both Alia and Parineeti are absolutely fantastic actors. I am fortunate to work with them before anybody else could.