"I feel Om Puri is one of the finest actors in the world. I feel he and Deepti Naval were perfect for the role. I have worked with Om Puri in 'Chor Machaye Shor' and it's an honour to work with him again," Shekhar, also a popular television host, told.
"It is so generous of him that he said he will work in the film only on one condition - if I won't talk about money. He said he will not charge anything for the film. He didn't even read the script, he just said he will work with me. More than anything else, he is a nice human being," he added.
"Heartless" will go on the floors in November. Scheduled for a Mother's Day release next year, it will be directed and produced by Shekhar.
The film is a tribute to Shekhar's son Ayush, who succumbed to a hearth disease in 1994. He was 11.
For the film, Shekhar has roped in his another son Adhyayan to play the protagonist and he will also act in it. This is their first film together.
"This is the toughest role for Adhyayan. If he can pull it off, then he will be considered one the finest actors in the industry. For the first time, I will be sharing the screen space with Adhyayan in the film," said Shekhar.
"I have a small part in this film. I am playing a doctor in the film," he added.
