The director-actor duo had earlier collaborated for the biopic based on Indian athlete Milkha Singh, 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag,' which won Farhan a number of awards for his portrayal of the athlete.

Javed asked Shekhar if he would not feel a refugee in Pakistan? Further calling him "poor rich but lonely guy", the 74 year old wrote, "If in India you are still a refugee where will you not feel like a refugee, In Pakistan? Cut this melodrama you poor rich but lonely guy."