New Delhi: Actor Vijay Raaz says celebrated poet-filmmaker Gulzar agreed to come on board as a lyricist of his directorial venture 'Kya Dilli Kya Lahore' only after watching his film.
Gulzar has also turned the narrator for the 1948-set drama, which follows the story of an Indian and a Pakistani soldier, who are compelled to fight in a war between the two countries soon after the Independence.
"Gulzar saab said 'make the movie first and then we will see'. When it was shown to him, he liked it very much and decided to be a part of it. He has previously worked on such issues and has a sensitive writing on this subjects," Vijay, 50 said.
"It is an honour to have his name associated with the film. It could not have been better than this," he added.
'Kya Dilli Kya Lahore' is slated to hit cinemas on May 2. Raaz is well known for his comic skills having given memorable performances in films like 'Monsoon Wedding', 'Run' and 'Delhi Belly' among others.
After enthralling the audience with his full fledged lead roles in National Award winning 'Raghu Romeo' and Naseeruddin Shah starrer 'Barah Aana', the actor has taken on the role of a Pakistani soldier in 'Kya Dilli Kya Lahore'. Manu Rishi plays the Indian soldier.
"The movie is set in 1948 which was the era just after the partition. The story is about two soldiers, I play Pakistani soldier, who is in Lahore since six month and has been brought up all his life in Delhi. The other soldier is based in Delhi, who has grown up in Lahore," he said.
"The movie follows their story as to how they have to deal with the fact that merely six months ago Lahore and Delhi were part of the same country and now they are separated. And the soldiers are on duty and fighting from the countries now," he added.
Raaz did not have to indulge in a deep research for the film as it does not revolve around any historical personalities.
"It is straight forward film. I did not have to make a research or take special reference as the prime characters are not historical. The focus of the film is on human emotions, which did not require an extensive research," he said. Vijay may have donned the director's hat in his partition-themed drama, but the actor said he had no intentions of bidding adieu to acting.
"It (direction) just happened. I never really thought or planned about it. I am not sure I would continue to do it after this film. I am primarily an actor and it's not like I am leaving it for direction," he said.
He will be next seen in a Delhi-based story about seven people in 'Saat Uchhakkey' that also stars Manoj Bajpai.
