REVEALED: Alia Bhatt's role in Kalank has Fawad Khan connection. Here's what she said

To prepare for her look and diction in pre-Partition drama "Kalank", actor Alia Bhatt turned to classic films such as "Mughal-E-Azam", "Umrao Jaan" and hit Pakistani drama "Zindagi Gulzar Hai".

Alia said her director, Abhishek Varman told her to watch show, which featured her "Kapoor & Sons" co-star Faw Khan and Sanam Saeed.

"I watched a lot of old films like 'Mughal-E-Azam' and 'Umrao Jaan' to get an understanding of grace and body langu. (And) I h to clean my Hindi as I am speaking Urdu (in film). Abhishek asked me to watch 'Zindagi Gulzar Hai'. character of girl in show is very much how Roop will deal with situation. 

"She has responsibility on her shoulders so she is t always a happy person. She is vulnerable yet strong. It is difficult (to bring so many) layers - unhappy, vulnerable and strong to a character. Abhishek kept saying that I should t be irritating," Alia told PTI in an interview.

Sanam Saeed later responded to Alia Bhatt's revelation that she took inspiration from popular Pakistani actor's hit TV show "Zindagi Gulzar Hai" to prepare for her upcoming film "Kalank", saying she was "tickled pink".

34-year-old actor took to Twitter Monday reacting to a PTI interview in which Alia said director Abhishek Varman told her to watch drama, which starred Sanam and her "Kapoor & Sons" co-actor Faw Khan.

"@aliaa08 if this isn't me up news, I'm tickled pink. Best wishes," Sanam tweeted sharing a link to story.

"Zindagi Gulzar Hai", aired on Pakistani channel Hum TV from 2012 to 2013, also emerged a huge hit in India when it premiered on Zindagi channel in 2014. 

Alia first heard story of "Kalank" from Karan Johar while she was promoting her debut film, "Student of Year" in 2012.

"He h mentioned about story in passing when we were promoting 'Student of Year'. But story was different at that time. 

"Later, I heard it from Abhishek and he said he was apting film in his own way. After many months, I realised Abhishek h written this role keeping me in mind. process of this film coming to me was very organic," she said.

film has an ensemble cast that also includes Varun Dhawan, Sanjay Dutt, Mhuri Dixit, Sonakshi Sinha, itya Roy Kapur and Kunal Kemmu. 

Alia said working on a multistarrer like "Kalank" was a learning experience for her. 

"I was excited to be a part of this film as I (thought I) would get an opportunity to work with so many different actors and I would pick something up from everybody. "I used to chat with Sanju sir and talk about my d (Mahesh Bhatt) and with Mhuri ma'am about diet. With Sonakshi, we used to talk about random things and itya was very quiet initially. He opened up later." 

film is set to be released on April 17.