New Delhi, Jun 18 (IANS): Actor Sidharth Malhotra, who is set to star in the remake of "Ittefaq", says he has to "match up" to the acting abilities of the late superstar Rajesh Khanna, who starred in the 1969 film.

"I am extremely excited for 'Ittefaq'. It is a remake of the super-hit 1969 film 'Ittefaq.' The benchmark for me has already been set as superstar Rajesh Khanna was a part of the film back then, and I have to match up to his acting abilities in this remake," Sidharth told IANS over e-mail from Miami.

Sidharth, who made his forary into Bollywood with the 2012 film "Student of the Year", says the film's script is brilliant and it would be a new screen character for him.

The film is being produced by Red Chillies, Dharma and BR films.

Directed by Yash Chopra, "Ittefaq" also featured late actress Nanda. It revolves around a man named Dilip, who loves his passion more than his wife, and one day in a fit of rage -- when his wife tries to harm his paintings -- he strangles her to death.