Of late, Ajay Devgan is attempting roles that defy the stereotype. Breaking away from his action image, post-PHOOL AUR KAANTE, the actor has won accolades for his performances in ZAKHM, HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM and LAJJA.

He's out to impress once again in CHORI CHORI. Co-starring Rani Mukerji and Sonali Bendre, CHORI CHORI is produced by Lalit Kapoor and Raju Nirula and directed by Milan Luthria. An erstwhile assistant of Mahesh Bhatt, Milan (Bunty) Luthria has to his credit KACHCHE DHAAGE (Ajay Devgan - Saif Ali Khan).

It is for the first time that Ajay and Rani are working together. Initially, when the film was launched, Kareena Kapoor was cast opposite Ajay, but due to date problems, Rani stepped in her shoes.

The story-idea:

Everyone falls in love. It's the one thing that makes the mornings glow.

Ranbir (Ajay Devgan) and (Rani Mukerji) are two misfits who find that it's not always necessary that the hand should fit the glove, or vice versa.

That, sometimes, square pegs do fit in round holes. And sometimes they don't!

Ranbir is an architect in a Delhi firm. He hails from Shimla, from one of the most lovable, most loving families you could ever find. A family represented by a wonderful cast (Kamini Kaushal, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Tiku Talsania, Smita Jaykar and a host of others).

Khushi is a hostess in a banquet hall in Delhi. Who hails from nowhere. And bluffs her way through everything.

Ranbir and Khushi meet unexpectedly on Delhi's wintry streets and the sparks refuse to fly. But what begins is the most unexpected adventure, with them striking an even more unexpected deal.

It's an adventure that runs in different directions for these two opposites.

The vagabond Khushi, an orphan raised by a group of traditional North Indian wedding singers, has always seen beautiful weddings and in her hidden moments has secretly longed for her Knight in shining Armour to sweep her off her feet.

Happy to be even an inconsequential part of this world, Khushi inadvertently lets her guard down and gets carried away in the maze of her own dream – of wanting to make this dream her own. Till the dream breaks and she realises that things will never be the same again.

Because everyone falls in love. And sometimes it hurts like hell.

For the complicated Ranbir, the adventure, the experience, unexpectedly opens up a new world. A world where he finds strength. To fulfil his dreams. Because a stranger shows him that she believes in him.

And strange as it seems to him at first, this belief is what matters. Was probably what he needed all along. Slowly, he starts loosening his shackles. It's difficult for a guy who had started believing that falling in love ruins everything.

But then he hadn't counted on a con-girl changing all that. So he finds his perspective changing. And unbelievably, it puts a smile on his face. And one in his heart.

Till the dream breaks.

CHORI CHORI has music by Sajid-Wajid. It is slated for release on March 22, 2002.