Veteran actor Darshan Jariwala, who played Ranbir Kapoor’s on-screen father in the 2009 romantic comedy Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, has shared recollections of the film’s shoot and the unmistakable chemistry between its lead pair. Speaking in a recent conversation, Jariwala described the lively atmosphere on set and the natural spark that was evident between Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif long before their real-life relationship became public knowledge.
Observing Chemistry on the Sets
Jariwala was part of the extended shooting schedule in Ooty, where the cast spent roughly forty days working closely together. He recalled an environment filled with humour, laughter and energy, matching the light-hearted tone of the film itself. When asked about the growing closeness between the two leads, he offered a thoughtful perspective on how actors draw upon their own lives.
Actors, he explained, often pull material from their surroundings and personal experiences. Some describe this as emotional memory. The emotions and observations of daily life find their way into performances. In the case of Ranbir and Katrina, Jariwala said there was no doubt that chemistry existed between them, and it was visible on set. What audiences later saw on screen, he suggested, had its roots in that real, observable connection during filming.
At the time the film was being made, both actors were linked to other high-profile relationships. Ranbir was reported to be seeing Deepika Padukone, while Katrina was associated with Salman Khan. Neither relationship was formally confirmed by the actors in that period, yet the media narrative around them was already active. Against that backdrop, the ease and spark between Ranbir and Katrina on the Ajab Prem sets stood out to those working with them.
The Film and Its Place in Their Stories
Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, marked the first on-screen pairing of Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif. The romantic comedy was well received for its humour, music and the central chemistry between the leads. Critics and audiences alike noted the natural rapport the two shared, which helped carry the film’s breezy narrative.
Years later, Ranbir and Katrina entered a relationship that remained in the public eye for several years before they parted ways in 2016. Looking back, Jariwala’s comments add a contemporary layer to an earlier chapter of their professional and personal association. His observations do not claim insider knowledge of private developments; instead, they focus on what was apparent during the collaborative work of making the film.
Salman Khan’s Cameo as a Casting Coup
One of the film’s memorable moments remains Salman Khan’s cameo appearance. In a light-hearted sequence, Salman interacts with Ranbir’s character in a coffee-shop setting, delivering lines that later took on an ironic resonance in public conversation. Jariwala described the casting of Salman as a significant achievement by director Rajkumar Santoshi.
He praised the scene between Salman and Ranbir as very funny and called the decision to include it an example of Santoshi’s clever handling of the material. When asked whether there had been any nervousness or tension among the actors on the day the cameo was filmed, Jariwala said he was not aware of any such atmosphere. He did, however, note Ranbir Kapoor’s strong self-assurance, describing him as supremely confident.
Jariwala also remarked that Salman’s presence itself carried weight. As a major star appearing as himself, the actor required little additional direction for the sequence to land effectively. The cameo added star power and humour, becoming one of the talking points around the film’s release.

A Collaborative Atmosphere
Beyond the leads and the cameo, Jariwala’s recollections emphasise the overall spirit of the production. The long schedule in Ooty kept the cast together for an extended period, fostering a sense of camaraderie. The film’s comedic tone appears to have translated into the working environment, with humour and liveliness characterising the days on set.
For an actor playing a supporting role as the protagonist’s father, the experience offered a close view of the central pairing. Jariwala’s comments suggest that the chemistry was not manufactured solely for the camera but was something participants could sense in the daily interactions of the shoot.
Looking Back Without Overstatement
Jariwala’s account is careful and measured. He does not claim detailed knowledge of the personal lives of the stars involved, nor does he speculate beyond what he observed. His focus remains on the professional process: how actors access emotion, how chemistry can become visible in a shared working space, and how a well-judged cameo can enhance a film.
The remarks arrive years after Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani became a commercial success and after Ranbir and Katrina’s subsequent relationship had already run its course. In that sense, they serve as a reflective footnote rather than a contemporary revelation. They remind audiences that the spark which helped make the film engaging was noticeable to colleagues even while the actors were navigating other chapters of their public lives.
An Enduring On-Screen Pairing
The film continues to be remembered for the easy, playful dynamic between its leads. Jariwala’s recent comments reinforce that this quality was rooted in something genuine that developed during the making of the movie. Combined with the unexpected energy of Salman Khan’s appearance, the production captured a particular moment in Hindi cinema—one defined by humour, star power and an on-screen connection that felt lived-in.
By sharing his perspective as someone present throughout the Ooty schedule, Darshan Jariwala offers a ground-level view of a film that helped define an early phase of Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif’s careers. The chemistry he described was, in his words, beyond doubt. It was visible on set, translated effectively onto the screen, and remains one of the lasting impressions left by Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani.
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