"Well, first of all you look at them together and wonder who's got more energy," says Sanjay Leela Bhansali who brings the tireless Zohra and the debutant Ranbir together in his eagerly awaited love story Sawariya.
The unanimous verdict on Sanjay's breathtaking set? No one can match Zohra Sehgal's energy level.
Sanjay who six years ago directed Zohra Sehgal in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam could think of no one except her for a particular role in Sawariya.
"It had to be Zohraji and no one else. There was a kind of hesitation within me. After all Zohraji is 94. But all our doubts were dispelled once she came on the sets. To call Zohraji a live-wire would be an understatement. She's the life and soul on the sets.
And I dread the day when her shooting would be over. Zohraji has the most amazing memory. She remembers every single incident from her life. On the sets she comes up with the most amazing suggestions. Her enthusiasm gets to all of us."
The most interesting aspect of Zohra Sehgal's new screen stint is the fact that she is teamed with Ranbir Kapoor. Nearly seventy-five years ago she started her career with the Ranbir's great grandfather Prithiviraj Kapoor in Prithvi Theatres.
"She has known four generations of the Kapoors...from great- grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor to grandfather Raj Kapoor to father Rishi Kapoor and now his son Ranbir. It's unheard-of in showbiz," says Sanjay admiringly.