MUMBAI, June 28: After much speculation as to which actor would be signed up to play the male lead in the film adaptation of best-selling author Chetan Bhagat’s novel 2 States, it has now been officially declared that newbie Arjun Kapoor, who played the rustic Parma Chauhan in Ishaqzaade, has been finalized for the role by the makers. Producer Sajid Nadiadwala, said confirming the news, “I have known Arjun since the time he weighed 140 kgs. He is now a cool dude who has turned out to be a good actor and a heartthrob for millions. He is the perfect hero.’’ On his part, Karan Johar, who will be producing the film alongwith Nadiadwala, said, “Arjun is wonderful and a supremely talented addition to the young bracket of actors in the movie industry. Both Sajid and I have implicit faith in his portrayal of our protagonist.’’ Sources claim that the film is to be directed by debut director Abhishek Varman, who has worked on My Name Is Khan’ and Student Of The Year. In the past, actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and till recently, Imran Khan were considered for the role of the protagonist. 2 States revolves around the love story between a North Indian boy and a South Indian girl and the culture clash that follows their plans to marry each other. (Agencies)