Always known to be one who speaks his mind, the irrepressible Mahesh Bhatt is like no other. Bollywood’s most outspoken filmmaker, Bhatt recently heaped praise on his daughter Alia and her 2 States co-star Arjun Kapoor.

Outspoken and frank, whatever Mahesh Bhatt says, he says with conviction. After watching his daughter Alia Bhatt’s latest offering, Mahesh Bhatt couldn’t help but speak straight from the heart. What was all the more surprising is that he lavished more praise on Arjun, than on his own little girl, Alia.

Mahesh Bhatt took to Twitter, to express himself. He posted a series of tweets, saying, “Alia is fantastic in a startlingly different role. But it is Arjun who stole my heart & made me weep. He is a star! It’s a winner!”

Directed by Abhishek Verman, 2 States is the story of a cross-cultural couple, played by Arjun and Alia. Arjun Kapoor plays the Punjabi boy, who falls in love with the South Indian Alia Bhatt.

Mahesh Bhatt had praise for the film’s producer Karan Johar, and director too, when he added, “Karan Johar should be very proud. He has an eye for talent. He gifts the nation with an outstanding writer/ director, Abhishek Verman.”

2 States is a film adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s novel, also titled 2 States.

The film releases on April 18, 2014.