Was exciting to work with Shabana, says Juhi Chawla

"Chalk N Duster" actress Juhi Chawla says that it was exciting to work with her talented co-actor Shabana Azmi in the film and that she tried to learn something from the latter's style of working during shooting.

"It was exciting for me. I worked with her for the first time and of course she's a very accomplished actress. I had heard about her how she goes on a set and how she familiarizes herself with the surroundings to utilize the place well along with her character. Even I thought I'll secretly try to learn something from her on the sets," said Juhi at the trailer launch of the film.

"When the script had come to us, it seemed that the role was always meant for Shabanaji. In fact, you can't imagine anyone else in that role because she seems to fit in so beautifully," she added.

Both of them play teachers in the film who enjoy teaching kids, but face a tricky situation when the school management led by Divya Dutta tries to turn the school into a business and compromise on teaching standards. How both of them battle this plan forms the crux of the story.

About the film, Juhi says: "The film has been written passionately. If it's coming across that the film is only about teachers, then that's not true.

"It's a very interesting story and takes you with it. And incidentally, it's about your teachers, school and their lives but in an interesting manner. I'm excited with the whole film and it has been one of my most interesting experiences.

"It's whole way of treatment in it, it's got all the elements you look for in an entertaining and engaging film. You'll laugh, you'll cry and our climax takes you a real happy high."

The film directed by Jayant Gilatar, also stars Girish Karnad, Richa Chadha, Zarina Wahab, Aarya Babbar, Jackie Shroff, and Samir Soni among others. It's slated to release on January 15.