MUMBAI: Actor – producer – director Sohail Khan has handed over the directorial reins of his forthcoming film to Sameer Karnik.

Says Karnik, “We did meet to discuss the film. It is yet untitled, but will star Salman Khan and Preity Zinta in the lead roles. We are working on the script and the film will be launched shortly.”

Karnik is also doing another film for production house K Sera Sera.

Karnik, a protégé of Vidhu Vinod Chopra, had assisted Chopra in Kareeb in 1996. For four years after that, he ran a television station in Tanzanian capital Dar-es-Salaam. Kyun…Ho Gaya Naa starring Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Viveik Oberoi was his first directorial venture for producer Boney Kapoor in 2004.

Meanwhile, Karnik has almost completed filming Nanhe Jaisalmer for K Sera Sera. The film stars Bobby Deol and Katrina Kaif in the lead roles.

Sohail Khan’s forthcoming film Partner, with K Sera Sera is ready for release. The film stars Govinda, Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif and Lara Dutta.