None of the new scripts excited Chopra; he expressed his disdain at the new trend of the films of the time, stating, 'I was tired of television promos. All the semi-clad girls look the same.' Chopra stated he was as nervous of his return as he was while directing his debut (1959). He then finalized another script and began casting for roles. Aditya then provided a narration of a few scenes of a new script, but conveyed that he would be unable to direct it. Chopra was interested and began to work on the new project.
According to Aditya, the story of Veer-Zaara was written as a medium for his father to return to his Punjabi roots. Chopra was born in Lahore, Punjab (present-day Pakistan) and later moved with his family to Jalandhar when he was young. He travelled to Bombay in 1951, when he was introduced to the film industry. Speaking about the film's theme, Chopra said, 'Veer-Zaara is a humble tribute to my home in Punjab. It is my tribute to the oneness of people on both sides of the border.' In preparation, Chopra watched videos of Pakistani marriages and consulted Nasreen Rehman, a professor of Cambridge University for the film's portrayal of Pakistani culture, their courts and dialects. While completing the film, Chopra and Aditya had a discussion about the film's title.