Filmmaker Karan Johar is set to return to the director’s chair after five years with “Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani”. The film will see Ranveer Singh playing the role of Rocky and Alia Bhatt portraying the character of Rani.

Ranveer, who is celebrating his 36th birthday today, shared the film’s poster on his Instagram, saying, “This kahani is an exceptional love story!”

“Yahaan hero aur heroine mein pyaar toh hai, lekin anokha hai. Also, stay tuned to meet the rest of the parivaar, see you at 2 pm!” he added in the caption. 

Karan’s last directorial was the 2016 film ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ starring Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

“Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani” will also see Shabana Azmi and Dharmendra coming together for the second time after ‘Mardon Wali Baat’ in 1988. 

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 “Karan’s film is about family values and love, in that order. It’s called Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani and features Ranveer and Alia as Rocky and Rani. Shabanaji and Dharamji will play Alia’s grandparents. Jayaji who has worked with Karan before in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and Kal Ho Na Ho plays Ranveer Singh’s grandmother,” a source told Bollywood Hungama.

According to the source, Karan is looking forward to directing two of the most powerful actresses of Hindi cinema together for the first time. 

“Jayaji and Shabanaji have some really intense scenes together. As for Ranveer and Alia, they are excited to be together after Gully Boy,” said the source.

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Ranveer and Alia’s chemistry in ‘Gully Boy’ was highly appreciated. Directed by Zoya Akhtar, and written by Akhtar and Reema Kagti, the film is inspired by the lives of Indian street rappers Divine and Naezy. 

It is a coming-of-age story about an aspiring street rapper from the Dharavi slums of Mumbai. The film won several awards including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress, and it became the second film to win all four acting awards at Filmfare, 21 years after ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ (1998).