It has got to be the most unexpected team of the century. Sudhir Mishra, the avant-garde director of critically acclaimed films as "Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin", "Main Zinda Hoon", "Chameli" and "Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi", is coming together with the soap queen Ekta Kapoor.

The two met up earlier this week for serious negotiations. "And we hit it off unbelievably well," said Mishra, shell-shocked by the improbability of the combination.

"I thought of Ekta as this spoilt little kid running around, throwing her weight. She used to be seen as a child when my first wife (the late) Renu Saluja would be editing. I thought she's grown up into a pampered rich star-kid.

"But look at what she has done with her life and career! When I spoke to her, I was surprised by how sensible, intelligent and clued-in she is," Mishra told IANS.

Though of differing sensibilities, Mishra and Ekta are determined to work together.

"I've already decided what I want to do. I want to re-make my first film 'Yeh Woh Manzil To Nahin' (1986) for Ekta. I gave her the film to see and she liked it. So, I'll be doing an updated and very different interpretation of my first film for her."

Mishra wants to cast K.K. Menon and Viveik Oberoi for the roles originally played by Habib Tanvir and Pankaj Kapoor.

"I'm entirely re-interpreting the whole plot. Otherwise, there's no point in doing it again. The heroes will be younger and the dramatic tensions will have to be modified."

For Ekta the journey from "Kyaa Kool Hai Hum" to "Yeh Woh Manzil To Nahin" seems bizarre.

"That's the fun and joy of being a filmmaker. You've the freedom to do anything you want. And Ekta is exercising that freedom very intelligently," said Mishra.

The film goes on the floors as soon as Mishra finishes "Bahut Nikle Mere Armaan" for producer Prakash Jha.