The much-awaited announcement of the year has finally happened.

After the historic success of Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, there was tremendous curiosity as to Rakesh Roshan’s next venture.

Now, Papa Roshan has just launched Koi Mil Gaya, his next musical extravaganza, which has the vivacious Preity Zinta paired opposite Hrithik Roshan.

"It's a young love story,” is all that Rakesh is willing to reveal right now.

Incidentally, the film-maker was supposed to start his film some time last year. But he sacrificed his dates to accommodate other Hindi cinema biggies like Subhash Ghai and Karan Johar.

According to industry hearsay, Koi Mil Gaya was supposed to be Hrithik’s original debut film, while Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai was to feature Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role. But SRK’s non-availability of dates forced Rakesh to launch KNPH with his son instead.

And the rest, obviously, is history.

There was also a lot of speculation with regard to the leading lady of Koi Mil Gaya. It’s said the choice was between Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor and Preity Zinta.

Aishwarya was out because Rakesh believed that she looked a bit older than Hrithik. In fact, he had even passed a similar comment in the media some time ago.

Rakesh didn’t opt for Kareena because she is already being paired with Hrithik in Yaadein and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Preity was the safest option because the audience has already seen the two of them in Mission Kashmir. Also, she’s a close family friend.

The music of the film will be obviously scored by Rajesh Roshan.

Incidentally, the title of the film has been lifted from the breezy number in Karan Johar’s Kuch Kuch Hota Hai -- Koi mil gaya, mera dil gaya.

Rakesh Roshan had put the entire industry on the wrong track when he had registered the title, Karodpati, and everyone believed that would be the title of his next venture.

With Koi Mil Gaya, the Roshans have sprung up a pleasant surprise indeed.