Mumbai, Aug 13 - So overwhelming is the response to 'Love Aaj Kal' in Punjab that Imtiaz Ali is now taking time off from his schedule in Mumbai to be in Chandigarh for a while this week, on heavy demand from the Punjabi audience.

Imtiaz said: 'Punjabiyat and the Punjabi culture were very much a part of both 'Jab We Met' and 'Love Aaj Kal'. I can't deny I share a special affinity with that part of our country.'

So warmly has Punjab responded to Saif Ali Khan's performance as a Sikh that they wanted nothing more than to have Saif visit them. Chandigarh-based theatre actor Kamal Tiwari who played Kareena Kapoor's father in 'Jab We Met' suggested Imtiaz and Saif should immediately come to Punjab to witness for themselves the level of adulation and adoration for 'Love Aaj Kal'.

Imtiaz said: 'I am in Chandigarh right now. My lyricist Irshad Kamil is with me. I don't know about the others. I've got the maximum response from 'Love Aaj Kal' from Punjab. I was wondering how to reciprocate this love when actor Kamal Tewari suggested the trip to Chandigarh. It's exactly what I needed.'

Interestingly Kamal Tewari's wife Dolly Ahluwalia styled Saif's much-talked about Sikh look which the star himself has been raving about.

While the accolades for his performance have been pouring in from all quarters Saif has been unusually subdued and reclusive about enjoying the success.

He even excluded himself at the last minute from the intimate party that Rishi Kapoor hosted last week.