<span class=normal>Abhay and Aliya<BR><BR><br><p class=clear>&nbsp;</p>Deepikas character in the film is very strong. She is level headed, ambitious and has set goals. Imran Khan on the other hand doesnt have set goals. He plays Abhay in the film and discovers the serious side to himself. Deepika plays Aliya in the film and her journey in the film is to discover the romantic side in her. They both make this journey towards the centre and discover what both of them lack in each other. <BR><BR><br><p class=clear>&nbsp;</p>The only choice - Deepika<BR><BR><br><p class=clear>&nbsp;</p>I saw Deepika in Love Aaj Kal and I started to feel that she has emerged as a polished actor. In Om Shanti Om, I could only see her smile and no one else. Till now, we thought that she was decent and a pretty face who could act. But I really didnt think that she would be able to pull of challenging roles. Love Aaj Kal changed my view point. She could do Aliya and she was the only choice. She has surprised me even after filming for the film. <BR><BR><br><p class=clear>&nbsp;</p>Comfort zone<BR><BR><br><p class=clear>&nbsp;</p>I didnt start writing this film thinking that it is a safe film or a safe subject. Every director who writes his own script and directs his own film, writes and directs the film based on the experiences that the person has had or the space that person is comfortable with. I am comfortable with such films because my forte is love stories. <BR><BR><br><p class=clear>&nbsp;</p>Genre definition<BR><BR><br><p class=clear>&nbsp;</p>The first half of the film is set in Delhi as I have lived in Delhi for eleven years. A lot of the space and vibe the film occupies is from my own life. Where I go with my second film depends on what kind of story I feel like telling at that point in time. I dont think I am still ready to make an action thriller because I dont want to deviate from the genre I am good at. I dont think a story should be told or a script should be written based on a genre. </span>