The actress doesn’t get to spend enough time with them and can hardly go to meet them in Bangalore where they stay. They had also come to visit her in Bangkok when she was shooting for Chandni Chowk to China. She, however, doesn’t want to call them to boring places. She believes they should have fun whenever they visit her.

Deepika Padukone promotes Love Aaj Kal in Cinemax on 31st July 2009.

Studying in London, Jai (Saif) and Meera (Deepika) are in a relationship for two years but when career beckons, they mutually break off their relationship. Meera prepares to go to India to pursue her career in old historical places restorations whereas Jai waits in London with a hope of getting his dream job in San Fransico’s Golden Gate Co.

Movie Review: Love Aaj Kal (2009)
Rating: 4/5
Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, debutantes Giselle Monteiro and Florence Brudenell Bruce, Rishi Kapoor and Rahul Khanna (Sp.App)
Director: Imtiaz Ali

The couple though broken off decides to keep in touch via net and phone calls and continue to remain friends. Restaurant owner Veer Singh (Rishi Kapoor) is a silent observer to their break up process since it happens in his restaurant. Unable to bear the far too casual approach related to affairs of heart of the couple, he tries to convince a reluctant Jai that he is making a mistake.

Sensing that Jai is not taking him seriously, Veer then starts narrating him his own love story with Harleen Kaur (Giselle Monteiro) which took place far back in 1965 in Delhi. From then on begins the unfolding of these two love stories running parallel together which incidentally end up with a similar culmination after many twists and turns which also are similar despite the different period zones.

After making the much loved Jab We Met, Imtiaz Ali succeeds in giving us an extremely different love story that we have never witnessed before on Indian screen. He scores high on his writing and his treatment of the film.

In the initial 10 minutes he successfully establishes Saif and Deepika’s relationship and their character quirks. He surprises you then by putting a melancholic song (Ye Dooriyan) as opening credits role showing montages of various important twists of the plot that lie ahead.

In fact his screenplay is indeed full of surprises ahead, especially in the second half. As you begin to anticipate a particular thing happening ahead in the plot, almost 9 times out of 10 he proves you wrong. Making the film extremely relatable to everyone who has ever been in love and broken off with his/her partner, Imtiaz takes it notches higher by his dialogues that sound simple but convey a lot.

Plenty of scenes stay with you as you come out. Imtiaz has repeated his technical team trio of JWM – Aarti Bajaj (Editing), Teddy Maurya (Art Direction) and Cinematographer (N. Nataraj Subramaniam) and each of them have excelled in their respective departments. Music of the film by Pritam is already ruling the charts and thankfully none of the songs act as speed breakers. The picturisation of Main Kya Hoon in San Francisco showing various changes in Saif is simply fantastic.

Without any doubt, these are career best performances of both Saif and Deepika and it should not be a surprise if they both end up winning most of awards for this year. Saif has always been at ease playing the cool no strings attached dude but in here he also succeeds in playing the brooding romantic Sardar Veer Singh very well and is extremely impressive in the post interval emotional sequences.

Deepika wins hearts not just by looking extremely attractive throughout but also with the effortless ease she portrays her complex character. Rishi Kapoor is extremely loveable as the mature Veer Singh and lends tremendous dignity to his character. Debutante Giselle Monteiro manages to speak volumes just through her expressions. Rahul Khanna in a special appearance is good and suits the character perfectly well. Raj Zutshi playing Harleen’s father reminds of Pawan Malhotra’s character of Kareena’s uncle in Jab We Met. Florence Brudenell Bruce playing Saif’s Swiss girlfriend doesn’t have much to do but manages to do a good job.

Love Aaj Kal is a film definitely not to be missed. It offers us something fresh and and is a unique experiment in story telling and direction that works big time. It is one film that Saif, Deepika and Imtiaz shall always be proud of whenever they look back at their career.

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Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Imtiaz Ali promote Love Aaj Kal in PVR on 29th July 2009.

Shoppers Stop Love Aaj Kaal wear wallpapers.

Deepika on sets of film Love Forever

Deepika Padukone in the still from movie Love Fewer.

Speaking on the occasion, director cum producer Jayant says, ‘When we had thought of this song, Deepika struck in my mind. I immediately went to her and narrated the story. In fact, she is a busy heroine in Bollywood. However, as the story is quite interesting, she accepted my request and participated in the shooting. The song came out very well due to Deepika’s cooperation. We are expecting repeat audiences for the film due to this song exclusively. We made the film with a delicate point– When you want to do something do it immediately. This love story came out very interestingly. Music would remain a major asset for the flick. We will complete the shooting by August and are making efforts to release the film in September.’

Ranadeep, Mridula are playing the lead. Basic story is by Jayant C Paranji, story elaboration is by Anwita, dialogues are by Rajasimha, music is by Ram Sampath, camera is by Jayanan Vincent, while Sumanth C Paranji is the co-producer. Screnplay, production and direction are by Jayant C Paranji.

A unit source revealed, “Deepika would borrow the walkie from one of the assistant directors and pass comments, amusing and communicating to a select few who would know and leave the rest baffled as to who the mysterious voice was. The crew members in the beginning were unaware that it was Deepika and gossiped with her openly. Someone suddenly realized that she was playing a prank with them and soon the whole unit realized that Deepika was the mysterious person. But Deepika sincerely enjoyed the banter and took all the gossip very sportingly.”

Love Aaj Kal is set for a release on July 31st worldwide.

Are you satisfied with your maiden production venture?Have you given it hundred percent?

Right now, I am nervous since I am newcomer as a producer. Everything is a result of your decision; nonetheless, it has been a different experience. As a producer you are never satisfied, you want more and more but we have taken care of every detail and it has been organized well. We have had a great team, and I have learnt a lot in the process. My partner Dinesh Vijan has been a great help. I was more involved in the creative aspect of the film. But it has been an exciting journey.

Many of your contemporaries have already become producers; did you take tips from them?

I think I have been fortunate in working with few great producers and big established banners. I have learned a lot of things from friends like Yash Raj Productions and Dharma Productions. As for my friends Karan Johar and Farhan Akhtar would have been happy to advise me. We tried our best but, I haven’t really called anyone.

What made you turn producer?

My interest is really not in production but after 18 years, you like to own and be creatively on your own. A lot of money is involved and your inputs mean something else. I want to learn more about business. The market earlier was different. Most heroes have moved on and turned actor directors or producers. There are not many independent producers left to work with.

Reportedly Kareena wanted to play the lead opposite you in LAK?

None of the directors listen to me. Imtiaz felt that Deepika suited the role better.

You are working with Deepika for the first time how was it?

I think we look nice and refreshing. She’s a new face and she’s young. She’s got an Indian look and is very grounded and mature. Her personality grounds me on the screen just like Rani Mukherjee does. They are very earthy just opposite of me.

What is Love Aaj Kal about?

The story primarily is about Jai who doesn’t believe in love and is practical. He believes that long distance relationship is a pain, so why not just be friends and don’t follow your heart types. He comes across a person who tells him what love is all about. Imtiaz has made a simple love story and it is not confusing love story as most people believe.

You are playing a Sardar in the film and Akshay and Salman have played Sardars before, what is your opinion about them?

I think we are different. I have not seen Salman’s film but I saw Akshay in Singh is King and I think it was glamorous and commercial. It was cool, stagey and larger than life. It’s unfair to compare us.

In one particular take, Deepika leaned back to fall into Saif’s arms but instead fell off the table which was on a raised platform 6-7 feet off the ground.

Luckily, Saif’s quick reflexes caught Deepika’s Kurti and the two tumbled off the platform together, with no injuries.

Everyone was shocked and worried at the fall, but Deepika laughed the whole thing off and was ready to do the next take… That’s our girl!

Deepika Padukone unveils latest Vogue Issue in Landmark, Andheri, Mumbai on 11th July 2009.

Today any youngster will vouch for the fact that very often love blossoms around coffee and good conversation.

Keeping this in, the producers of Love Aaj Kal are now reaching out to their target audience- young coffee and tea drinkers with an exclusive tie up with Café Coffee Day. As a part of this tie up; Café Coffee Day will run a contest, where the winner gets a chance to meet the stars of Love Aaj Kal; Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, over a coffee date at one of the Café Coffee Day branches across the city.

Says Dinesh Vijan, producer of Love Aaj Kal…”The coffee house in our film The Chowk is a very significant space in Saif and Deepika’s relationship in the film, similar to the role that places like Café Coffee Day play in our daily lives. The association between love, romance, and coffee houses is extremely strong and this tie up helps brings our target audience closer to experiencing the romance, fun and good times that Love Aaj Kal is all about.”

Aamir Khan, Deepika Padukone at Tata Open finale in CCI, Mumbai on 5th June 2009 .

“Saif and Deepika were present to release the music of their movie ‘Love Aaj Kal’. They enjoyed the show and also interacted with the kids well,” says the source.

They had a grand entry on the show. “They danced on the tune of their flick with the kids on stage. It was a good sight to watch them becoming kids all over again. At the end on the request, Saif played guitar for his fans,” adds the source.

“This episode will be aired on coming weekend on the show. The duo also enjoyed the performances of these little wonders and was impressed by our chotehosts, Dhairya and Afsha,” concludes the source.

It was memory down the lane of their childhood days with these Lil’ Champs.

-Rachana Trivedi

Deepika Padukone, Saif ALi Khan, Imtiaz Ali, Pritam Chakraborty, Abhijeet on the sets of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs in Famous Studios on 27th June 2009.

Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Kiron Kher, Minissha Lamba, Ritesh Deshmukh, Sajid Khan at Lux Comedy Honors 2009 on Star Gold.

Present on the occassion will be its lead cast Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone along with director Imtiaz Ali. Besides the unique star cast, Love Aaj Kal’s music makes it special too. Imtiaz Ali has a ear for music. The music of his earlier hit Jab We Met had broken all records. The same holds true for Love Aaj Kal the music of which has been a chartbuster.

“Listen to the music we make for you.” Says Saif. “Not half a done version which leaks to the net. Love Aaj Kal music releasing tomorrow, 27th June, 2009. Get the real thing on cds or legal downloads. Listen with pride, kill privacy. Enjoy.”

In what way is Love Aaj Kal different from your earlier films?
I am quiet thrilled about my next release- Love Aaj Kal , which I feel is quite different when compared to my earlier films. Love Aaj Kal will undoubtedly go down as one of the most special films for me as an actress. I could identify with my real life a lot with the character of my reel life Meera that I have played in Love Aaj Kal. . Like me, she is today’s girl. She is very grounded, sensitive and practical. In fact, I even kept on teasing Imtiaz Ali that in spite of his hectic schedule as a film maker he may have kept on following me around in order to etch a character like that of Meera for me in Love Aaj Kal, which is totally ME.

What was your reaction when Saif compared you with Rani Mukerjee?
If Saif Ali Khan compares me with an actress of the caliber of Rani Mukerjee, I think he is only being extremely polite, kind and sweet towards me. I should say that I have learnt a lot from him as a co-actor. What I like about Saif is that he is so natural. I will unabashedly state that I have been a huge fan of his right from the time I liked watching him in Dil Chahta Hai.

Isn’t it strange but true that you have always been pitted with actors older to you except for Ranbir in Bachna Ae Haseena. Do you ever feel conscious about the age difference?
To tell you the truth, though people ask me whether I was conscious because of the age difference between Shah Rukh and me in Om Shanti Om or Akshay Kumar and me in Chandni Chowk to China or for that matter Saif and me in Love Aaj Kal, all that I’d say is that I do not feel the age difference at all. On the contrary I feel secure because all my co-actors are very experienced. It is nice to be around people like these, especially for a girl like me who has absolutely no filmi background at all.

After working with Shah Rukh Khan and Ajkshay Kumar, how comfortable were you working with the chote nawab Saif Ali Khan?
Deepika admits that it was a very good experience for her working with the unit of Love Aaj Kal. “Considering that it is their first film production, I should say that Saif as well as Dinesh have done a brilliant job. Saif and Dinesh ensured that I was comfortable throughout their shoot, as producers. It is nice to have a director like Imtiaz Ali who understands my approach to acting.

Did you have any reservations about doing a hot lip to lip kiss with Saif in Love Aaj Kal just because you are in a relationship with Ranbir Kapoor?
As an actress, I see to it that I am able to separate my personal life from my professional life. All of us have to move on in life. I am not a prude, though I am still conservative enough not to be in favor of getting into a love in relationship. I have never ever denied that I am into a relationship. I feel it is nice to have that one person with whom you can share everything in your life. Just because I am into a steady relationship with Ranbir, it does not mean that I am against doing any kissing or intimate scenes with any of my co-actors. I am a through professional. You do a scene some times because you feel you should do it and it is right.

How often was Saif’s girl friend Kareena Kapoor spotted on the sets?
Kareena was never on the sets even once when I was shooting with Saif, because, she is not the type of girl who is insecure about her man. Kareena knows that she is brilliant as an actress. If I were in her place, and I was not cast in my boy friend’s film, even I would have felt the same like Kareena if she felt that she should have been the leading lady opposite Saif in Love Aaj Kal and not me. Just because her boy friend is the producer of the film and Imtiaz Ali who is the director of the film is her favorite director, after she worked with him in Jab We Met, she did not demand that I should be replaced in Love Aaj Kal with her.