His was a ‘dream debut' as director, directing a film for a prestigious banner like Karan Johar's Dharma Productions at the very start of his career in filmdom.

As a director, Nikhil Advani did not disappoint with his debut directorial venture ‘Kal Ho Na Ho'. For, not only was the film, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta, a big office success in India as well as abroad but it also won tremendous critical acclaim for its innovative storyline and its brilliant storyline. In fact, the film was selected for the Oscar's library for its ‘innovative storyline', a rare honour for an Indian film.

Now, Nikhil's second directorial venture ‘Salaam-E-Ishq A Tribute To Love' is also creating a tremendous buzz in film circles for its unique cast.

The film, which was launched last month with a Non Stop ‘star-to-finish' schedule, stars six pairs, which means six actors and six actresses. A unique feature of the film is its never before pairing of actors who have hitherto never been featured opposite each other.

While the film pairs teenage heartthrob Salman Khan with Priyanka Chopra, it has actor Anil Kapoor cast opposite Juhi Chawla, Akshay Khanna opposite Ayesha Takia, Johan Abraham opposite Vidya Balan, Govinda with a foreign actress and Sohail Khan in pairing with Perizaad Zorabian.

While the ‘pairings' in the film have evoked tremendous curiosity for the film in trade circles, it is also said to feature all the actors in images far removed from their portrayals in Bollywood films till now.

Although all the actors associated with the film are unwilling to reveal details about the film's storyline, having been sworn to secrecy by the filmmaker, all of them seem to be quite excited about their work in the film.

Talking to press, one of the film's lead actors Ayesha Takia said, "I was mesmerised by the script the moment Nikhil narrated it to me. Although I am not allowed to reveal anything about my character in the film, I can say that it is something I have never been offered before. Naturally, I am quite excited and looking forward to work with him."