Very rarely can you gauge a successful film from the very onset. Especially one that features relative newcomers. Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, however, is one of those rare films that has success written all over its trailer, and its smart 'selfie' ('#humphie') inspired social marketing is nothing short of genius:

It has loads going for it – a DDLJ–esque setting, a hunky Varun Dhawan, who more than proved his acting chops in a solo outing Main Tera Hero, and Bollywood's newest belle of the ball, Alia Bhatt who wowed critics with a cracking performance in Imtiaz Ali's underrated Highway and Dharma Productions' earlier outing this year, the smash hit, 2 States.

Directed by debutant Shashank Khaitan and produced of course by Karan Johar, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania is the story of boy next door Humpty (Varun) and his love story with live wire and self confessed Kareena Kapoor fan, Kavya (Alia).

The film has a distinct Karan Johar stamp on it and the plot seems to have an uncanny resemblance to DDLJ, perhaps as a tribute rather than a form of blatant plagiarism (in fact in the trailer the last few seconds, nod at the classic too – Simran's (Kajol) tearful plea in the film's climax).

Here newcomer Sidharth Shukla (from TV's Balika Vadhu), plays a character heavily inspired by Parmeet Sethi's Kuldeep), by putting a spanner in the works for our earnest, lovelorn hero.

HSKD Trailer Launch

"The film is a complete filmy love story," said Alia at the film's trailer launch.

Karan on his part went on to clarify that the film is not a rip-off of the Shah Rukh-Kajol classic.

"I was the assistant director with DDLJ. I have the best memories with this film. HSKD is an epic love story and it's not a copy of that film. It's a different film and I feel every filmmaker wants to have at least one frame in their film from the beautiful film DDLJ."

When probed about Alia's obvious similarity to Kareena Kapoor, Karan said:

"There is only one Kareena Kapoor and I am not only a huge fan of hers on the celluloid, I also like her personally. I am very close to her and Kareena and Alia are two different people. Kareena has created a tremendous niche for herself and set a bar so high that it's unfair to compare her with Alia. Alia has her individual charm and I am sure even Alia will make her own space."

Apparently the selfie inspired promotion was Alia's brainwave.

"It was my idea. I love selfies, so I said let's do a selfie poster. But I would call it a 'Humpty' poster," quipped Alia.

"Alia has great marketing skills. It was her idea. She interferes in marketing, editing and everything," said Varun chipping in.

Gallery: Alia-Karan-Varun at the trailer launch

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Like 2 States the trailer looks zany and fun and there's a very distinct, easy chemistry between Varun and Alia, which will probably see the film through when it hits the marquee this July.

Are you looking forward to Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania? Let us know below!

Theatrical Posters

Movie Stills

Theatrical Trailer

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