Although most filmmakers believe that a good script is of primary importance, the time is passe when one would have a 40-something Shah Rukh play a college student. With plenty options of established and talented faces available, they often become a natural choice. “Fresh faces aren’t necessary unless the script demands it. My Halla Bol and Khakee had a bunch of experienced actors. But my next needed young people,” says filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi, whose next venture Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani stars Ranbir and Kaif who will also be seen together in Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti. “Besides, the youth, which form a chunk of the audiences today, like to watch young actors on screen. This, no doubt, helps market the movie better.”

So has the charge of the youth brigade led to the fading of the older breed of actors? Anees Bazmee retorts, “Of course not. The older actors are very much in demand and are always the first choice. But sometimes, when it’s a college story one has to go in for actors that look that age.” Bazmee’s It’s My Life is a college-based love story and stars Hurman Baweja and Genelia D’Souza, both 27. “Also, more and more heroines start young these days because they have realised that after a certain age they are not accepted by the audience. It is better to start sooner than later.” D’Souza, who re-entred the Hindi film industry with Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, will also be seen wooing Shahid in Ken Ghosh’s Yahoo.

... contd.