Sonam Kapoor to star opposite Shah Rukh Khan: Exclusive Report

Sonam Kapoor, 22, will star opposite Shah Rukh Khan, 42, in Aditya Chopra's romantic action drama Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

Shah Rukh was paired with then 22-year-old debutante Deepika Padukone in his last film Om Shanti Om.

Unlike in Om Shanti Om, the script for Aditya Chopra's film mandates the massive age difference since it focuses on the love between a 40-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl.

When Yash Raj Films announced their new project they also indicated that the female protagonist in the film would be a 16-year-old newcomer.

Following the announcement the banner launched a massive talent hunt for the right combination of Punjabi looks and histrionic abilities, interviewing hundreds of girls in the process.

However, their efforts drew a blank, reports Mumbai Mirror, prompting Aditya Chopra to settle for a young and talented Punjabi girl that the whole country already knew and raved about - Sonam Kapoor.

Sonam's father Anil Kapoor, himself a talented actor, was receptive to the idea, and several meetings later Sonam was on board.

Production of the film, that will be shot extensively in Greece, Australia and Dubai, will start in June - July for release by the end of 2008.

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