Mumbai: It's a comic film on forbidden love but don't expect any candy floss sweetness from Amitabh Bachchan's next film.

Directed by adman R Balakrishnan, Cheeni Kum explores the bittersweet love story of a 64-year-old chef played by the Big B and a 34-year-old woman played by Tabu.

Set in London, where the chef heads an Indian restaurant, it's an unusual love story at least in the ages of its lead pair.

"I wanted to see Amitabh and Tabu together. I didn't have any intentions of making it a different film or anything," says Balakrishnan.

However, the adman couldn't resist adding a bit of a twist to the usually dignified characters that Bachchan plays – so that explains his new look in the film.

"Amitabh was willing to experiment with his hair," says Balakrishnan.

The film, which also stars Zohra Sehgal and Paresh Rawal with music by Ilayaraja, will release in theaters on May 18.

(With inputs from Amrapali Sharma)