The release date for Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter’s Dhadak is up close and the director, Shashank Khaitan, can’t stop gushing about his lead pair.

“I think me talking about Janhvi will be like a parent talking about their daughter. It’s like saying ‘she is the best daughter in the whole world’,” says Shashank.

While Dhadak will mark Janhvi’s foray into Bollywood, Ishaan made his acting debut with Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi’s Beyond The Clouds.

“I have had the biggest pleasure of my life working with Janhvi. Knowing her and her family. All I can say is, I am really proud of both of them and I couldn’t have asked for more,” says the elated director.

Shashank who seems pretty happy with the way the film has shaped up can’t wait to show it to the audience. He says, “In a few days I will be in a position to speak about it more openly. But I am happy about the way it has churned out, and I am excited to share it with you all.”

“As far as a director is concerned, Janhvi and Ishaan have given more than what I had asked for. The rest is up to the public to decide,” he adds.

Dhadak is inspired by the Marathi blockbuster Sairat that revolves around inter-caste love and honour killing. It is set to hit theatres on July 20.