The movie is said to be a comic take on life in the times of recession.

This is good news for Jaideep Sahni and Shimit Amin fans like me.

Jaideep Sahni is the scriptwriter of Company, Bunty Aur Babli, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Chak De! India, and Aaja Nachle.

In nearly all of his films he has brought across a poignant understanding of the middle class and small town India.

Of all of his movies, Aaja Nachle was completely panned, but I thought the movie was well-scripted and directed.

It was supposed to be Madhuri Dixit’s “comeback” movie, and it was heartening to see that she was cast as a 40-year-old single mother, closer to her age, and not in roles essayed by the Katrinas or Rani Mukherjees.

The main reason the movie tanked was because it was Madhuri’s “comeback film” and most expected it to be some sort of grand spectacle, not the small town story that it was.

Shimit Amin has directed the 2004 Ab Tak Chhappan, which got him critical acclaim, and the 2007 Chak De! India that got him both critical acclaim and a huge box office success.

It will be interesting to see how Rocket Singh-Salesman of the Year shapes up. We haven’t seen a realistic tongue-in-cheek comedy like Khosla Ka Ghosla in a long time, except for the recent Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, so Rocket Singh-Salesman of the Year should be welcome.

Ranbir Kapoor, who had a very shaky acting debut in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya, has done well with his 2008 Bachna Ae Haseeno.

He will be seen next in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, Wake Up Sid, and Rajniti, in 2009.

Photo: Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor in Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani

The movie, which is in post-production right now, will be released in August 2009. Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani also stars Upen Patel, Darshan Jariwala, Govind Namdeo, Smita Jaykar, Navneet Nishan, Zakir Hussain, Jagdeep, and Salman Khan in a guest appearance.

Raj Kumar Santoshi has described the movie as a light romantic comedy. He has co-written the movie with R.D. Tailang.

A light rom com from Santoshi should be good. Andaz Apna Apna, which he directed in 1994, was a hilarious comedy and, probably, one of his best movies. Santoshi has a caustic wit that shines through even in his most serious movies.

Though he is known to pick socially relevant subjects, Raj Kumar Santoshi has never been able to do complete justice to them.

Admittedly, his movies and very honest and have strong moral and social messages, be it Damini (which was very very pretty good) or Lajja.

But, he ends up diluting the movies with the usual song-and-dance routines or simply getting carried away with the dramatic potential. As a result, his movies end up having a dated feel, despite tight screenplays.

His last movie Halla Bol that was released in 2008 was a total disaster.

Santoshi usually works with the same actors, be it Sunny Deol or Ajay Devgan.

Working with a young turk like Ranbir Kapoor is a first for him.

Perhaps, with Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani he will reinvent himself in other ways as well. All he has to do is cut the drama, and he will be home safe and dry.

Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani will be Ranbir Kapoor’s third film. His first Saawariya was a washout but his second Bachna Ae Haseeno was a hit.

Ranbir Kapoor will also be seen in Wake Up Sid (2009), with Konkona Sen Sharma, and Prakash Jha’s Rajniti (2010).

Katrina Kaif is now an A-list actress despite her poor histrionic abilities, with back-to-back hits, like Namastey London, Partner, Welcome, Race, and Singh is Kinng, to her credit.

She will appear in Blue and New York, in 2009, and in Rajniti in 2010.

Photo: Imran Khan

The wacky-cheeky duo will be missed, though. While Imran Khan and Ranbir Kapoor are smart kids, they are also sweet boys, very earnest and fair. And that does not entertaining hosting make. But better earnest, than rude.

At least there will be no embarrassing fireworks, like the ones we saw at the 2009 Screen awards, with Ashutosh Gowarikar flaying Sajid Khan publicly, and Farah Khan jumping into the melee with both feet, arms flailing. Not nice.

Ranbir Kapoor photo

Reports say Imran Khan and Ranbir Kapoor are finetuning a comic script and rehearsing it.

The 26-year-old Imran Khan debuted in 2008 with Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, which was a blockbuster. Khan was much appreciated for his acting talent and his good looks. Imran’s next release was Kidnap, which was not a hit, but Imran Khan did receive some positive reviews. Imran Khan will be next seen in Luck and Delhi Belly, both of which will release in 2009.

Photo: Shahrukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan hosting the 2008 Filmfare Awards

Ranbir Kapoor’s debut movie was the disastrous Saawariya, though he won the 2008 Filmfare award for the Best Debut Male. Ranbir Kapoor last flick Bachna Ae Haseeno was a huge hit. Ranbir Kapoor’s forthcoming releases in 2009 are Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani, Wake Up Sid, and Rajniti.