The two pedigreed stars -- Ranbir is the son of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh and, more importantly, the grandson of showman Raj Kapoor, while Sonam is Anil Kapoor's daughter -- have been kept under wraps by Bhansali -- barring a cover story in Filmfare magazine this month -- for worry that media attention may affect their innocence which he wanted to capture in his celluloid love story.
Saawariya also has performances by Bhansali favourites Salman Khan (Khamoshi, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam) and Rani Mukerji (Black). While Salman escorted Sonam to the dais on Saturday, Rani did the honours with Ranbir.
Proud parents Rishi and Neetu were present at the music launch as were Anil and Sunita Kapoor. The first family of Hindi films was in attendance, in the personae of Rishi Kapoor's mother Krishna Raj Kapoor, elder brother Randhir Kapoor and his wife Babita, younger sister Reema Jain and her husband, and youngest brother Rajiv Kapoor. His eldest sister Ritu Nanda and her family and his nieces Karisma and Kareena Kapoor were not present.
The music has been composed by Monty Sharma, composer Pyarelal's nephew, who also composed the background score for Devdas and Black.
Saawariya is slated for a Diwali release, November 9, and will go head on with the other blockbuster, Farah Khan's Om Shanti Om, starring Shah Rukh Khan and debutant Deepika Padukone, also releasing that day.
Text and photographs: Rajesh Karkera