Saif Ali Khan's National Award may have raised eyebrows but there's no denying that his upcoming film Salaam Namaste is much-awaited.

Co-starring his Kal Ho Naa Ho actress Preity Zinta, Salaam Namaste is directed by debutant Siddharth Anand.

Who is he, you ask? Here are some lesser-known facts about Siddarth.

* He assisted Kunal Kohli in the films Mujhse Dosti Karogi and Hum Tum.
* Before he joined the Yash Raj banner, he assisted Rahul Rawail in the Suniel Shetty-Kajol starrer Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi.
* His father Bitu Anand produced the Amitabh Bachchan hit Shahenshah.
* And, Siddarth is 26 years old.

Surprising? He reasons with, 'If you know your job, you will earn respect automatically.'

It seems like Siddharth knows his job really well. That's why when he showed Aditya Chopra his script during the shooting of Hum Tum, Adi immediately gave him a break.

"I wrote with Saif in mind, since I was working with him then," Siddharth explains. "Preity was also the first choice for the film."

The film also stars Australian actress Tania Zaetta -- best known for hosting the AXN show, Who Dares Wins -- and Arshad Warsi.

"The script needed an Australian because the film is set in Australia. She plays an Australian in the film; all her dialogues are in English. We liked her in Bunty Aur Babli (Zaetta had a bit role in the film), and so asked her to work in this film," Siddharth adds.

Salaam Namaste is a about one year in a couple's life. It starts with them getting into a relationship, falling in love and then facing problems.

"It's basically about the problems the couple goes through after they fall in love," Siddharth explains.

Shot entirely in Melbourne in 105 days, the film is slated for a September 9 release.

Design: Uday Kuckian