Director Mohit Suri, who is, at 33, Bollywood's youngest veteran, is already nine films old. Some of his earlier films like 'Awarapan', 'Zeher', 'Woh Lamhe', 'Murder 2' and 'Aashiqui 2', are evidence of his school of romance, which keeps away from roses and candy floss. In a time where run-of-the-mill romantic comedies are abundant, Suri's cinema continues to depict romance in its intense, haunting and raw form.

His forthcoming release, 'Ek Villain', is a story about prohibited and forbidden love, bearing the quintessential Suri trademark. Known for crafting intense romantic sagas, this time the director ups the ante with a musical romantic thriller around three protagonists - Rakesh (Riteish Deshmukh), Guru (Sidharth Malhotra) and Ayesha (Shraddha Kapoor). Talking about his film, said Mohit, "Ek Villain speaks of a love that wasn't meant to be. The sweet girl-next-door with fire in her heart and an angry young man hell-bent on setting the world on fire. This is an unconventional musical romance born out of angst."

From all the new screen pairings, the fresh Sidharth-Shraddha combination has evoked unprecedented excitement amongst the youth. Trade pundits are gambling on this couple being the torchbearers of romance of Generation X.

Added producer Ekta Kapoor, "Ek Villain is a beautiful tale of aching and longing rooted in reality; one that will make you smile and cry at the same time."

'Ek Villain' releases on 27th June.