Sharma is returning to the director's chair with "Genius", an action-romance, after a gap of three years. He last directed "Singh Sahab the Great", which had Deol in the lead role.
"I was scripting only for him. Utkarsh as a person is very sincere at everything and has a lot of potential. I thought he can deliver," the director told PTI.
The debutant, who starred in "Gadar" as a child, in the role of Deol's son, will play IIT topper in "Genius".
"Utkarsh has all the qualities of a good actor. It was he who told us that how passionately he wants to pursue films," he said.
"When he was in the US and studying film-making I worked on the script. Utkarsh thought it's too early for him but then I said, 'We have to do it right now'."
With each passing year, the number of newcomers in the film industry is increasing and the competition has turned fierce.
Sharma, however, is confident about his son's career as he believes in the 22-year-old actor's hardwork.
When asked about the rest of the cast, the filmmaker said he is yet to finalise it and the film might feature a new girl opposite Utkarsh.
The director chose to keep mum when asked if there is a small appearance of his frequent collaborator, Deol in the film. "I will not comment on this and will keep things in suspense."
"Genius" will go on floors this November. It will be shot in Mathura and Delhi.
"I'm excited for the film's shoot as we're going to shoot in Mathura which is my birth place and I'll be shooting in Delhi after quite a long time."
The director has signed a music deal with TIPS for the movie.
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