After all those reports doing the rounds about whether Ranbir Kapoor is starring in Rajkumar Hirani's next film or not, and of the actor denying that he has ever met the Munnabhai director, it seems finally that Hirani has got his hero. According to reports, actor Saif Ali Khan has been signed on for the lead role.

The film, which is based on Chetan Bhagat's novel Five Point Someone will be produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Initially, Shah Rukh Khan had been approached to do the film which is based on the lives of three friends who join the Indian Institute of Technology. But thinks did not work out between Chopra and SRK, so the superstar opted out. While they were still casting, Hirani is believed to have met Ranbir, first at the premiere of Saawariya and then when the actor dropped in at his office. Apparently, Ranbir was never even considered for the role. The meetings were just casual in nature. Abhishek Bachchan, however, was considered for the role. The latest is that Hirani has met Saif. Meanwhile the script is being finalized and dates are being locked. Saif and Vidhu have worked together before in Eklavya and then in Parineeta, which was produced by Vidhu. The two share a fairly decent rapport. Saif fits the bill for one of the IITians. At the moment, Saif, Vidhu and Hirani are in talks. If all works out well, then Hirani may have finally found his leading man.