NEW DELHI - Its songs have already become a hit and the promos are good, but “Love Aaj Kal” is an acid test for actors Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone as their last couple of films have turned out to be duds at the box office. There are indeed lots of expectations from this romantic comedy that releases Friday.

Despite giving 2008’s first hit in “Race”, Saif’s “Tashan”, “Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic” and animated venture “Roadside Romeo” (voice-over) fell flat at the box office. So did Deepika’s much-hyped “Chandni Chowk To China” opposite Akshay Kumar.

“Love Aaj Kal” is not only Saif’s first outing this year, it is also his debut as producer.

“‘Love Aaj Kal’ is garnering a lot of buzz. In fact it is after long that a proper love story is coming on screen. The concept is novel and will draw a good initial. It is also expected to re-boost Saif and Deepika’s career after their flops,” Delhi-based distributor Joginder Mahajan told IANS.

“The promotion of the film has been very good and the songs are already a hit. Moreover Saif is in a double role in the movie, which will be something to watch out for,” he added.

Directed by Imtiaz Ali, the movie has been co-produced by Saif, Dinesh Vijan and Sunil A. Lulla.

Also starring Rishi Kapoor, Shweta Gulati and Rahul Khanna, the movie is said to be a remake of Taiwanese film “Three Times”, which the producers have denied. Neetu Singh also makes her comeback with the film in a cameo.

“‘Love Aaj Kal’ is one of the most relevant films to come out in a long time…it looks at relationships in a very new light and a very new language,” Vijan posted on the movie’s official website.

“The film’s storyline is such that any common man can relate to it. It’s so real and as you watch the film, you would feel that so many instances shown in it have happened to you too in real life,” said Deepika.

“The film has a universal appeal. Whether it’s the younger or the older generation, all will be able to identify with the proceedings,” she added.

Showing love in two different eras - 1965 and 2009 - through Veer Singh and Jai Vardhan Singh respectively, the film is about the essence of love that never changes.

While Jai treats matters of the heart without passion and parts with from his lady love Meera (Deepika) in the name of being practical, Veer is nave about his love for Harleen (Shweta) and travels long distances to catch a glimpse of her, but fails to open his heart in front of her.

As both stories unfold, the broad message it gives is that relationships might be different in different eras, but the experience of being in love remains the same.

The film has got an unprecedented buzz due to its share of controversies too.

First it was in the news for its unabashed kissing scenes and the lead actors mouthing expletives and then the Punjabi Cultural And Heritage Board objected to Saif’s bearded look and reasoned that Sikhs do not sport a trimmed beard as sported by him in the film.

All controversies at rest, the director is neither excited nor nervous before the release.

“I’m completely stone-hearted at the moment. I’m still doing 16 hours of work for the film’s promotion and don’t have time to feel the excitement or the nervousness,” Ali said.