Imran and Sonam's chemistry USP of IHLS: Karan Johar

By Press Trust of India

The unusual pairing of Sonam Kapoor and Imran Khan in I Hate Luv Storys has generated quite a buzz and filmmaker Karan Johar who is producing the rom-com says that it is the freshness of the two young actors which is the USP of the film.

Johar says that the film and its lead pair are sure to click with the younger generation who no more accept the old fashioned ideals of love.

"The two form a very fresh pair and that should work for the audience. In fact ever since the promotion of IHLS began, there has been excellent feedback all over. People are reacting to the freshness factor. There is a youthful energy which they bring and that is pretty much visible in the film," the filmmaker told PTI.

The film which parodies the romantic cliches of Bollywood sees Sonam playing a 'filmi' romantic while Imran plays a cynic who hates love stories.

Both Imran and Sonam are new entrants in the industry and neither have delivered a hit in the past year, but Johar is sure that their chemistry will work wonders.

Imran didn't have much luck running in his favour after Luck and Kidnap and Sonam too is yet to find her groove despite biggies like Saawariya and Delhi 6 behind her.

"Imran has already shown so much promise in his very first film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Naa. On the other hand everyone knows that Sonam is beautiful and good at playing the girl-next-door," said Johar.

"However, while she was very Indian in Delhi 6 and Saawariya, there is a different kind of girl that she plays in IHLS. She is presented in such an avatar for the first time," he added. 

The film pokes fun at the 'cheesy' treatment given to love stories in Hindi cinema and takes potshots at some of Johar's own movies including Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.

"Today there is a lot of cynicism attached to love. The old fashioned love is no longer accepted. Even if people see that happening, they find it so unbelievable," said Johar adding that when director Punit Malhotra narrated the subject of IHLS to him, he immediately said yes.

"I have met a lot of youngsters who believe that old fashioned love stories are a thing of the past. No wonder, there has been quite some time since we saw an iconic love story. The last big one which the entire nation liked was Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Before that it was Maine Pyaar Kiya while in the recent times I can only think of Jab We Met to some extent," he said.

Though Johar admits that love stories are not finding much acceptance from the audience now a days, he is confident that IHLS will work.

"Well, ours is a nice youthful attempt and even though we are not selling it as a out of the world original story, we know that it will work. I know that audience is hungry for different love stories and it will connect with the film," said Johar about the IHLS which releases on July 2.