Shah Rukh Khan plays a ghost in his forthcoming home production being directed by Amol Palekar.

While everyone is wondering about the rather odd coming together of Shah Rukh and Amol, the star himself dismisses all speculation, saying: "Amol Palekar narrated the script. I liked it. It's a very sweet story."

What isn't known as yet is that the sweet story is actually a ghost story.

Shah Rukh plays a double role in the as-yet-untitled film. In one of the roles he plays Rani Mukherjee's husband. In the other he's cast as a ghost.

After the highly unexpected role in "Swades", Palekar's film is expected to give Shah Rukh another chance to go beyond his image.

The closest he has come to a ghost was in "Chamatkar" where Naseeruddin Shah had played a spirit while Shah Rukh had co-starred as a simpleton who comes in contact with a ghost.

More recently Isha Koppiker and Aftab Shivdasani had played ghosts in "Krishna Cottage" and "Shukriya" respectively.

Interestingly Amol Palekar had all but finalised Nakul Vaid, the eminently gifted young actor who played the rookie in Shimit Amin's "Ab Tak Chappan", for the ghost's part before Shah Rukh showed interest in the film.

Like all 'committed' directors before him (such as Shayam Benegal, Govind Nihalani, Ketan Mehta), Amol Palekar has no qualms about switching to a more glamorous lane when the opportunity arises.

And why not? Shah Rukh Khan will ensure an audience for Palekar's film.