“If we say old values don’t work, it’s because we aren’t showing them in the right light.”

Maine Pyar Kiya and Hum Aapke Hai Kaun brought the magic of weddings and festivity into Hindi cinema. Ever since, every other filmmaker wants to ‘celebrate’ that way…

“I am the lucky to get credit for all that. But frankly, I did what came naturally to me. I come from a family where thirteen of us live together, so we’re celebrating throughout the year. We have grown up watching weddings and ceremonies, and all the emotions woven around it. The credit should go to those emotions and not me.”

Adi, Karan, me have had very secured lives. We’ve not seen the dark side of life…”

Vivah has marked the ‘Return of the Wedding’ season in Bollywood…

“It’s not the return of the wedding season, but the return of the simple man-woman relationship. It’s the return of the courtship stage in a couple’s life, which is the most beautiful part of the relationship. After marriage the ego, the ‘me’ in relationship comes in. I wanted to show the mithaas and simplicity that’s there in the courtship stage in their lives, which has been forgotten by us.”

“As much as I know Salman as an actor, I don’t think anyone does.”

After Main Prem Ki Diwani went wrong, you’ve gone back to your old format of filmmaking. You think the youth will relate to it?

“All kinds of films will work if a filmmaker believes in it. I am sure Rakeysh Mehra was asked what a Bhagat Singh or Azad was doing in Rang De Basanti. And Raju Hirani was questioned on how relevant Gandhism was in today’s world. They had a strong point of view, and they succeeded in portraying it convincingly. When I go to watch a film I see the sensitivity of the maker. We are fortunate that today audiences go to see the film not just for the stars on the posters, but they want to know who the maker is. That puts a lot of responsibility on us. If we say old values don’t work, it’s because we as makers aren’t showing them in the right light. We show a ritual as an item, and that’s what makes it unbelievable.”

“Salman Khan is my ultimate Prem, even if the actor changes, for me Salman remains in that name Prem.”

Karan Johar says that he’s inspired by your work. Your reaction…

“I feel really happy to know that because Karan as a filmmaker has risen to the great heights. His films are watched even abroad. All of us – Adi, Karan, me…have had very secured and comfortable lives. Hence, we’ve not seen the dark side of life; we’ve seen only a lot of colour and beauty around us. Our movies also reflect that, and we want to show good people, because there is so much of goodness around, only sometimes we can’t see it.”

“I won’t be able to make Hum Aapke Hai Kaun again.”

People think you’ve tried to give Amrita Rao a very Madhuri Dixit look ‘n’ feel…?

“Not at all. The role required a classical Indian beauty. In the film Amrita comes from a place where aaj bhhi paani ko ‘jal’ bolo jaata hai. When I met her there was this grace about her, which is a quality she shares with Madhuri Dixit. That’s the only similarity. The rest of the similarity probably comes from the characterization, Indianess and softness in the role.”

I am more of an observer, as a director you have to be that way. That’s your capital.”

When do you plan to work with your original Prem – Salman Khan?

“I hope I work with Salman soon. I know it’s been really long, but I’ve been waiting for that one subject that strikes me. As much as I know Salman as an artiste, I don’t think anyone else does. We have grown together, we have shared the anguish of standing by Bandstand and wondering whether our film (Maine Pyar Kiya) will work or not. We have shared those emotions together. He is such a natural and fine actor. I am waiting for that one for that one subject where I can portray him beautifully again. We discuss ideas often, I am sure something will work out soon. Salman is my ultimate Prem, even if the actor changes, for me Salman remains in that name Prem.”
“I loved Murder, though it’s so different from my movies…”

You think you can recreate Hum Aapke Hai Kaun (with or without Salman and Madhuri)…

“Ideally the answer will be – No. I don’t know whether to even think if it can be recreated. It was one phase for the three of us (Salman, Madhuri and me), that phase is over. We work as hard in every film, but only sometimes people meet, their stars match, and magic happens. It doesn’t happen everyday. I won’t be able to make HAHK again.”
“Frankly, I suggest do something original, it will be more effortless.”

Your films are all about the sanctity of marriage, the purity of love and relationships. But in today’s scenario – sex comedies, items numbers and sex sells.

“If a film is made with good taste, and means healthy entertainment - it works. If it is just made to titillate and for the B.O, it’s no good and it’s not good for society too. I firmly believe that such films will come and go. What will remain are films like Munnabhai and Black. Even if you make titillating films, pad it up with some genuine emotions. Without feelings audiences will discard it away without a thought. I loved Murder, though it’s so different from my movies, because there are emotions in the film that touched me.”

“Personally I prefer the earlier Don.”

You are media shy. You consider it a shortcoming…?

“I am trying to change. It was my shyness and introvert nature that stopped me from talking to the media. I am more of an observer, as a director you have to be like that too. That’s your capital. Over the years I have realized the important of conveying and communicating with the media. I am glad my friends and colleagues around me are encouraging me to get over my shyness. I think I am finally graduating.”

Today everybody is talking about remakes, but the formula was perfected by the Barjatyas’. Hum Aapke Hai Kaun was inspired by your own Nadiya Ke Paar, and Main Prem Ki Diwani from Chit Chor.

“Remakes are always welcome. There must be something so good about the original that the film has to be remade for this generation to watch and enjoy. At the same time, the filmmaker must have his own point of view and his own vision of the film. If you just assume the original was hit, hence this one will be too, then it is pointless. But frankly, I suggest that do something original, it will be more effortless.”

What you think of Farhan Akhtar’s remake of Don?

“I think Farhan at his technical best (effects, picturization and presentation). Even Shah Rukh Khan was very good. But personally I prefer the earlier Don.”