Preity Zinta has taken one giant step for herself and has moved out from the Yash Raj camp for once. National award-winning director Jahnu Barua (Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara) has managed a coup of sorts, getting Preity Zinta and Shiney Ahuja together on screen.

The mahurat shot was filmed on Shiney in the presence of Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, Rakesh Roshan and film financer Bharat Shah here yesterday.

Talking to reporters, Barua said 'Har Pall' was a sensitive emotional story with a motto that each and every moment of life is important and to be cherished.

Refusing to divulge any further details about the film, Barua said 'Har Pall' is based in Mumbai and will be extensively shot in Kolkata, Shillong and here.

To a question on when the film would go on the floor, he replied, ''very soon. It will be a two month schedule which will be completed in September. I plan to release the film during Puja (October),'' he added.

Mr Dasmunsi described Barua as one of the most talented film directors of recent times and said he had come for the mahurat shot out of his friendship with Barua and the film's producer Tito. 'Tito had sponsored one of my football matches in Kolkata,'' he added.

Shiney plays the role of an advertisement agency executive based in Mumbai. ''The film is about how I come to stay in a flat and meet Preity who is my neighbour. It is a love story and I liked the narration of the story,'' he added.

Barua described Shiney as a commendable actor. ''I have seen some of his work,'' he said.

When asked whether Amitabh Bachchan was part of the cast, Barua did not confirm nor deny it. Sources said Big B is almost certainly part of the cast. ''The official announcement has not been made because the veteran actor has been busy with his son's wedding,'' he added.