Mitr - My Friend director Revathy has reason to cheer. Her second Bollywood attempt Phir Milenge is ready for 27th August release. But more importantly, international acclaim is coming to her by way of the UN applauding the lady's brave attempt at dealing with a risqué subject like AIDS.
Peter Piot, the executive director of UN programme, UNAIDS comments, "When Bollywood, one of the world's largest film industries with massive audiences, produces a film about AIDS, everyone has to sit up and take notice" He further adds, "It is extremely encouraging that India is joining the struggle to erase the fear, stigma and despair that surrounds AIDS-HIV." He's quick to add, "It is a courageous effort and we are totally appreciate of it"
Meanwhile what is Revathy's take on the issue, to which the low profile director answered, "Millions in India are dying of the virus. Medication and a conducive mindset is what is required to tackle it. The problem needs a voice. Hope the film lends it"


SALMAN DID PHIR MILENGE FOR FREE - IANS: August 14, 2004
Actor Salman Khan has acted as an AIDS victim in Bollywood's first ever feature film on the issue - for free.
"He did not charge me a penny," said award-winning actress-turned- director Revathy Menon who has directed "Phir Milenge", India's first film tackling HIV/AIDS - a disease that for most Indians is a stigma. "We wouldn't have been able to afford him - he is a big, very big star," Menon told IANS on phone from Chennai. "I told him this was our budget, he just smiled and asked me to give whatever I could. And then, gave all the money away to charity. "So whatever money we could give him has gone to a school he runs for children in (the) Bandra (area of Mumbai). He has an idea that
all of us should take care of our own areas - and the world will become better. I think it's very correct."

The film, to be released worldwide Aug 27, also stars Shilpa Shetty and Abhishek Bachchan. It tells the story of Tamanna (Shetty) who plays a 26-year-old advertising professional. At a school reunion, she meets Rohit (Khan), on whom she had a schoolgirl crush. They spend time together, fall in love and have sex, then part, promising to meet again. Then, Tamanna discovers that she is HIV-positive. She tries to contact Rohit, but in vain. As a result of her diagnosis becoming public, Tamanna loses her job and has to fight it out in court. There she meets a lawyer, Tarun
(Bachchan), who takes up her case. Rohit also discovers that he is HIV-positive and returns, hoping he has not infected her. After a number of setbacks, Tamanna eventually triumphs in court as Rohit succumbs to the virus.

Menon said she didn't think of casting Khan. "He was just too big for our budget. Shilpa was in the project and she was also acting in 'Garv' opposite Salman. "She told him about the project and he got interested. Then one day,
I was talking to him and I told him that I was having trouble finding the right actor. He said, 'Well, you haven't asked me yet.' And it happened." The film is being supported by UNAIDS.

Menon, who regularly campaigns for disability rights, also crusades against the AIDS stigma. "I have known HIV-positive people who have led a healthy life for 17 years after detection. It all depends on how well you take care of yourself and
how much support you get from family and friends. "My main desire is to remove this stigma." There are currently an estimated 43 million people with HIV/AIDS in the world, with five million new cases being added every year.
India, with 5.1 million HIV/AIDS cases, has the second highest incidence of the disease in the world after South Africa.

Menon has acted in more than 95 films in five Indian languages. "Mitr - My Friend", her first directorial venture, won
the National Award for Best English Feature Film. Menon also received the Silver Peacock Jury Award for Direction at the International Film Festival of India in 2002.

PM gets U certificate - Bollyvista: August 7, 2004
Director Revathy's latest offering, 'Phir Milenge' starring Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty was censored yesterday and issued a 'U' certificate. 'Phir Milenge' deals with the sensitive issue of AIDS and has music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Nikhil-Vinay!

Abhishek on PM - IndiaFM: July 28, 2004
I have never played a lawyer before and this particular character of Tarun in PHIR MILENGE is such that looking at him you'd never know he's a lawyer. He's a cool, happy guy, very cheerful. He's a good-hearted guy who is happy with everyone. Basically, Revathy's brief to me was 'When I see Tarun, I don't want to see a lawyer.'
“I think the moment a film has a social issue as its theme, people shouldn't assume that it's going to be some serious, preachy film. PHIR MILENGE is not a docudrama. The idea is not to bore anybody or give sermons.
“I absolutely enjoyed working with Revathy. She's very fast, in the sense that I think I finished my work in just 12 days! After a hard day's work, a lady director is more likely to be sympathetic towards you and let you go home. I certainly want to work with more lady directors.
“I don't have any scenes with Salman. But, yes, working with Shilpa was fun. She's a warm person, very easy to work with and I think the kind of warmth and dignity she needed to bring to her character, she has done that extremely well. Besides, after a long time I was working with someone who didn't need a paatla to stand on! She is tall and so that was not a problem.

No Clash - Indolink: July 20, 2004
The much touted Salman-Aishwarya and Amitabh -Abhishek clash will not take place on August 13 as the Salman -Abhishek- Shilpa starrer ´Phir Milenge´ , which was suppose to clash with ´Kyun ! Ho Gaya Na.. ´ (as per the tentative schedules) will release later this month or maybe in August .
The Aishwarya-Vivek-Amitabh starrer ´Kyun! Ho Gaya Na...´ , will definately come on the above mentioned date .

Notice against Phir Milenge - IndiaFM: July 5, 2004

The AMPTPP has sent an intervening letter to Percept Pictures Pvt Ltd, the producers of Phir Milenge (starring Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty) on request of a south film producer Veda Nayak. Veda Nayak produced a Tamil film titled 'Natchatra Kadal' in 2001, which revolved around the theme of AIDS and had a social message in it. The film that was also screened at the Cannes Film Festival and Hong Kong Film Market 2002 is now being dubbed in Hindi for a wider audience.
Now Veda feels that Phir Milenge directed by Revathy, which also deals with the AIDS issue, is copied from his original work and has thereby has requested the AMPTPP to intervene in the matter.

SHORT TAKES - Filmfare(July Edition): June 30, 2004

Warning: If you are planing to watch 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi' and would not like the fun to be spoiled, please stop reading this piece here! The gossip is that Salman Khan takes Priyanka Chopra away in the climax of 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi' {somewhat premised on 'Anger Management'}. There is a cricket match (featuring prominent Indian batsmen) near the climax of the film during which Salman makes a public declaration of his love for Miss Chopra. Akshay Kumar hands Priyanka over to him. But the movie does not end on an emotional note! There is still some comedy, even after the surrender, and pretty foul comedy at that!

Surprise for Priyanka - Indiaexpress: July 29, 2004
He looked like he always does---fresh and squeaky clean, as if he'd just stepped out of the shower. No one would have guessed he'd just got off a flight from London.
At the press conference for Revathy's Phir Milenge, Salman Khan, in a tight pair of brown corduroy trousers and an ochre shirt, revealed, "I enjoyed playing Shilpa Shetty's love interest in the film." Asked if he preferred an action flick to a love story, Salman replied, "Action? That is something I find tough on occasions. But love is something that comes easy to me."
Salman said he couldn't recall too many details of Love, in which he was paired with Revathy, early in his career. "But she's the one who taught me acting," he admitted.
On a lighter note he added, "Even during Phir Milenge Revathy taught me how to do my scenes and also the back-flip, somersaults and masala dosa stunts."
Salman described Revathy as a combination of Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Sooraj Barjatya. He announced, "After Khamoshi, if there's a sweet love story I enjoyed doing, it's Phir Milenge."
Salman also talked of the message conveyed in Phir Milenge. "The film deals with the subject of AIDS," said the actor. "It's funny how so many documentaries have been made to warn people about this disease. Yet people don't seem to pay heed. In our film we have woven a love story around an AIDS victim. Our message doesn't come across as drily as it does in documentaries which say, 'Chhata kholo, raincoat pehno (meaning use protection).' We want people to treat the issue with greater sensitivity.
"Let's hope people get the message," he ended. "Life is too precious to be lost."

THE VICTIM... NOW YOU KHAN GUESS - Indiatimes: June 17, 2004
Don't forget to take those tissue papers along with you, while you watch this film. For it might hurt Salman’s fans to see his character suffering from AIDS.
Phir Milenge , a story of Rohit Manchanda (Salman Khan), Tamanna Sahani (Shilpa Shetty) and Tarun Anand (Abhishek Bachchan). A musician by profession, Rohit is extremely popular with his students. But at his heart, he is a loner and works in complete solitude.
Tamanna is a go-getter. A self-made woman, she enthuses vivacity wherever she goes, be it her ad agency or her home. Having lost her parents at a tender age, she has been the father and mother to her younger sister, Tanya, a radio jockey.
Tarun is an upcoming lawyer, a charmer and a scrupulous gentleman, who never shies away from rectifying his shortcomings. That sometimes makes him a highly volatile person and at the same time a winner, who's always striving for more.
Riding high on success, Tamanna happens to meet Rohit at their school reunion. The mere sight of him makes her nostalgic about her school days, when she used to swoon over him. The two decide to catch up on life and love blooms in no time.
Then comes the twist in the fairy tale. Tamanna is embroiled in a difficult situation with no one to help her, not even Rohit. All her efforts to get in touch with him prove fruitless and she even loses her job in the process.
That's when Tarun comes into her life and assures her of a fight against injustice. What will happen to Tamanna? Will she be able to forgive Rohit? Will her life ever get back on course?
This is the first time Shilpa Shetty adorns a makeup-less look.
This will be the first mainstream Hindi film to tackle the sensitive issue of AIDS. Mahesh Manjrekar's Nidaan and Rituparno Ghosh's Ashukh have dealt with the subject but they failed to make an impact since the films were not promoted well at the national level.
Film insiders say the character of an AIDS patient had no takers, when Revathi first came up with the idea. Salman stepped in for old times' sake, having acted in the Hindi film Love with her more than a decade ago.
Revathi herself admits it was difficult to find an actor for Salman's role, with several turning it down, mostly because of the social stigma attached to the disease.
The film, made at a cost of Rs 40 million, will hit the theatres across the country June 25.
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy has composed the music for the film and Prasoon Joshi has penned the lyrics.

AIDS PATIENT - HT: June 17, 2004

The film Phir Milenge is the story of Rohit Manchanda (Salman Khan), Tamanna Sahani (Shilpa Shetty) and Tarun Anand (Abhishek Bachchan). A musician by profession, Rohit is extremely popular with his students. But at his heart, he is a loner and works in complete solitude.
Tamanna is a go-getter. A self-made woman, she enthuses vivacity wherever she goes, be it her ad agency or her home. Having lost her parents when she was young she has been both father and mother to her younger sister, Tanya, a radio jockey.
Tarun is an upcoming lawyer, a charmer and a scrupulous gentleman, who never shies away from rectifying his shortcomings. That sometimes makes him a highly volatile person and at the same time a winner, who's always striving for more.
Riding high on success, Tamanna happens to meet Rohit at their school reunion. The mere sight of him makes her nostalgic about her school days when she used to swoon over him. The two decide to catch up and love blooms in no time.
Then comes the twist in the fairy tale. Tamanna is embroiled in a difficult situation with no one to help her, not even Rohit. All her efforts to get in touch with him prove fruitless and she even loses her job in the process.
That's when Tarun comes into her life and assures her of a fight against injustice. What will happen to Tamanna? Will she be able to forgive Rohit? Will her life ever get back on course? This is the first time Shilpa Shetty adorns a makeup-less look. Also, don't forget to take those tissue papers along with you while you watch this film.
It might hurt his fans to see Salman's character suffering from AIDS.
This will be the first mainstream Hindi film to tackle the sensitive issue of AIDS. Mahesh Manjrekar's Nidaan and Rituparno Ghosh's Ashukh have dealt with the subject, but they failed to make an impact since the films were not promoted well at the national level.
Film insiders say the character of an AIDS patient had no takers when Revathi first came up with the idea. Salman stepped in for old times' sake, having acted in the Hindi film Love with her more than a decade ago.
Revathi herself admits it was difficult to find an actor for Salman's role, with several turning it down, mostly because of the social stigma attached to the disease. The film, made at a cost of Rs 40 million, will hit the theatres across the country June 25.
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy has composed the music for the film and Prasoon Joshi has penned the lyrics.

In AID of AIDs - Screen: June 11, 2004
Salman Khan strolled in half-way through the press conference of Phir Milenge and made a dive for his director's feet. Revati playfully returning the gesture. Till then she and her actors, Shilpa Shetty and Abhishek Bachchan had been skirting around the delicate issue the film focuses on. "Am I supposed to reveal that the film deals with AIDS?" Salman asked in a loud stage whisper. Having let the cat out of the bag he went on to inform that the subject needs to be adressed. But an erudite seminar goes over the heads of the masses and when you use street lingo like "if you need a topi use a chatri", it's considered vulgar. The answer is to make a sensitive film that reaches out to all people.

Preaching Against Prostitution - Bollyvista: June 8, 2004
She has just directed a film with Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty on that subject. The film is going to be released in the month of June. Speaking about the film and about Aids in general, she said,
I have spoken with many women who are involved in prostitution. There is no point in telling them to not get involved in it. Instead, you should tell them to practice safe sex. Atleast that way, you can prevent HIV from spreading.
These days, youngsters dont accept monogamy. When commercial sex workers are available for as low as Rs 20, promiscuity has become rampant. It is better to stress on safe sex right now.
This is my message in the new film that I had directed

Bollywood tackles AIDS? - SA: June 8, 2004
India's Bollywood film industry, famed for its frothy romances and lavish song-and-dance sequences, is tackling for the first time Aids and the social stigma attached to the illness.
Taking a starring role in Phir Milenge (We will meet again), due for release later this month, is one of Bollywood's biggest box office draws, Salman Khan, known for his tough-guy roles.
The movie, which also stars Abhishek Bachchan, son of Bollywood acting legend Amitabh Bachchan, and actress Shilpa Shetty, is the first mainstream Hindi-language film to deal with the sensitive subject of Aids.
"Aids is a major concern for humanity. Our cinema must highlight such issues for society to understand how dreadful this disease can be," said Khan, 38, who has legions of fans in India and worldwide.
"We've had films based on other life-threatening diseases like cancer but no one has made a movie on Aids in mainstream cinema," he said.
Until now, Bollywood has shied away from Aids, which remains a taboo topic in many circles in India despite the country having the second largest number of cases after South Africa.
The film is directed by Madras-based actress-turned-director Revathi, who like many Indians uses one name.
Bollywood filmmakers rarely divulge the full details of movie plots.
What is known is that Shetty plays an advertising professional in love with Khan, a singer. Their lives are torn apart when tragedy strikes. That's when Bachchan, who acts as a lawyer, comes to their rescue.
The film has echoes of Tom Hanks' film Philadelphia in which the US star played an Aids patient and Denzel Washington his lawyer, media reports say.
Revathi said Khan's character had no takers initially. But he took it as a favour, having starred opposite Revathi in a 1991 film, media reports say.
"I'm happy to be a part of this project that will highlight the dangers of this disease," Khan said.
There are at least 4.58 million people living with HIV/Aids in India, says the National Aids Control Organisation (Naco), which works out to 0.8% of the country's population.

Who has AIDS? - Rediff: June 6, 2004
Actress Revathy looked into the pages of a neglected housewife with sensitivity in her directorial debut, Mitr: My Friend . The Hindi-English bilingual starred Shobhana (who won a National Award for this film), Naseer Abdullah, and Preeti Vissa.
Now, Revathy is back with another film based on another sensitive subject. Phir Milenge , starring Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Shilpa Shetty revolves around the killer disease, AIDS.
Salman, who will work with a female director for the first time in his career, reunites with his Love (1991) co-star Revathy in Phir Milenge .
In Phir Milenge , Shilpa sports a natural, no-makeup look. She plays Tamanna, an advertising professional in love with Rohit (Salman), a singer. Their lives are torn apart when tragedy strikes.
That is when Tarun (Abhishek), a lawyer, comes to their rescue. Apparently, the movie has hints of the dark film Philadelphia , starring Tom Hanks - who played an AIDS patient - and Denzel Washington, his lawyer.

Phir Milenge meets Philadelphia - Midday: June 3, 2004
It is reliably learnt that the otherwise super-brat Salman Khan has given a 'deadly' (pun intended) performance in the Percept production Phir Milenge as Shilpa Shetty's lover-boy who is diagnosed as a HIV Positive in the latter half of the movie.
Reluctant to confirm the AIDS undercurrent, actress-cum-director Revathy raved about Salman (who played her hero in the movie Love, in 1991) and how he addressed her as 'gaaru' (sir in Telugu) even though he is "such a big star today". Although the filmmaker claims that the film has an original story, the plot has uncanny similarities to the Hollywood movie Philadelphia (Tom Hanks).
Heroine Shilpa Shetty, who trimmed her hair and has worn sobre outfits in Phir Milenge says she did this "because I play a senior executive of an ad agency and I had to look credible. It's a realistic, rebel role with substance with a strong underlying message. It's one of my best performances to date."
Shilpa plays an employee who gets sacked abruptly from her job for some trivial reason. That's when the friendly lawyer (Abhishek Bachchan) helps her get justice.
In another coincidence, the previous production of Percept called Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi also had an AIDS undercurrent theme.

May 29, 2004
The first mainstream Hindi film to tackle the sensitive issue of AIDS - Phir Milenge - stars Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty.
Directed by renowned south Indian actress Revathy, the film is loosely inspired by Tom Hank starrer Philadelphia , story of a gay AIDS patient.
Phir Milenge is a love story, with Salman playing a singer, Shilpa a successful and independent-minded advertising professional and Abhishek, a lawyer who takes up Shilpa's difficult case.
Bachchan said cinema was a good medium to create awareness about the disease.
"The medium of cinema is very widely accepted in the Indian subcontinent and if through that medium and through being actors and public figures we can create some public awareness I think that is fantastic. Whether they accept it or not is up to them. That's something we have no control over but it should be our endeavor and our want to try and make a difference in whatever little way," said Bachchan.
The country has the second-largest concentration of AIDS-afflicted people, behind sub-Saharan Africa, which has an estimated 28 million sufferers.
Film insiders say that Salman's character of an AIDS patient had no takers when Revathy first came up with the idea. The actor stepped in for old times' sake, having acted in Hindi film Love with her more than a decade ago.
Revathi herself admits it was difficult to find an actor for Salman's role, with several turning it down, mostly because of the social stigma attached to the disease.
Salman said the film was a mixture of both commercial and parallel cinema with a message and star value attached to it.
"This film is like a slap on the face of those who think that parallel cinema and commercial cinema are different, that parallel cinema is something that nobody watches. This film is a commercial film of that genre, which is brilliant. If you want to give a message your theatres should be full, if you want to make money then also your theatres should be full. This film has done both," said Salman.
Mahesh Manjrekar's Nidaan and Rituparno Ghosh's Ashukh have dealt with the subject but they failed to make an impact since the films were not promoted well at the national levels.
Lissome Shilpa, who has worked with Revathy for the first time, said she had a great experience.
"It is hard to describe, but the little nuances that are there, that only a woman can explain to another... I was able to grasp that very beautifully. Also the fact that Revathy is such a simple and clear artist herself has definitely been a great help," said Shetty.
Phir Milenge is the second film in Shetty's decade-long career, which would showcase her acting prowess after Dhadkan.
The film, made at a cost of Rs 4 crore, will hit theatres across the country on June 25.

May 28, 2004
Several years ago, she starred opposite teenage heartthrob Salman Khan in the film Love .
For actress-turned-director Revathy, the wheel seems to have turned full circle as she is now directing her erstwhile co-star Salman.
Phir Milenge , a love story which is centred around the theme of the deadly AIDS disease, is actress-turned-director Revathy's new venture which is slated to hit the big screen next month.
The film is Revathy's second directorial endeavour after her first film Mitr, My Friend based on the development of friendship over the internet.
The film stars Salman, Abhishek Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty.
On the sidelines of a function here, Revathy told reporters that Phir Milenge , apart from revolving around a triangular love story, will serve the useful purpose of spreading awareness about AIDS. Revathy says she feels very comfortable in portraying the emotions of women, something which has been dealt by Phir Milenge .
She informed that the film had been conceived as a small budget film two years back. However, after Percept Picture Company and Sahara Manoranjan became asociated with the film, she decided to make it in a big way.
Salman Khan, who was also present on the occasion, said that after Khamoshi , this was the other film in his career which held special significance for him. He accepted that though he had acted with Revathy before, that was past and now he was overwhelmed by her directorial skills. "I have learnt a lot about acting from Revathy in this film," says Salman.
Shankar Ehsan Loy and Ilaya Raja's daughter Bhavtha Raja have provided music to Phir Milenge while the songs have been penned by advertising director Prasun Joshi.

May 27, 2004
Bollywood takes a brush with AIDS: A voluble Salman Khan looks determined to break the film industry's prolonged silence on one of the most pressing issues of the day: AIDS.
Phir Milenge , a blockbuster starring Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty, is the first mainstream film to tackle the subject directly. The film is directed by Chennai-based actor-turned-director Revathi, whose debut effort was the critically acclaimed Mitr . The movie is set for a June release.
"Can I say the film is about AIDS?" asked a playful Salman at Tuesday's news conference on Phir Milenge . He said a film would create more awareness about the disease than speeches in English or instructions like " chhata pehn " or " topi pehn ".
"People have died so many times of heart attacks in films. The father always dies of heart attacks. Even Amrish Puri dies of heart attacks, which is very difficult to imagine," Salman said in jest, before adding seriously: "The subject of AIDS in a film should generate reaction."
Phir Milenge is a love story, with Salman playing a singer, Shilpa a successful and independent-minded advertising professional and Abhishek a lawyer who takes up Shilpa's difficult "case". The deadly disease breaks into Salman and Shilpa's life, but to find out how, one has to watch the film.
Revathi does not say if any of the characters suffers from the disease or dies of it, but it was reported that Salman's character had no takers when she first came up with the idea. The actor stepped in for old time's sake, having acted with her more than a decade ago.
Revathi admits it was difficult to find an actor for Salman's role, with several turning it down. But she says this is not the time to talk about it, adding that she is not sure if the role was refused because of the social stigma attached to AIDS or some other problem.
But the director's problems do not end there. The film's subject has made it difficult to market the movie. Revathi and her actors are afraid Phir Milenge will be branded "a project about AIDS" if they speak too much about the disease and that the audience may not head to the theatres thinking it is another "documentary type" film.
No surprise then that Revathi says "How can the film be about AIDS? AIDS is not a person!" when asked if her film deals with the subject. "It is the backdrop of the film," is all she says.
Shailendra Singh of the Percept Group echoes her. The film is a joint venture of Percept Picture Company, jointly owned by the Percept Group and Sahara Manoranjan. " Phir Milenge is an adult love story and AIDS is. the backdrop," he says.
Shailendra adds that one of his previous films, Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi , had taken up the subject, though the film was not based on the theme; there haven't been too many films on AIDS, he points out.
That is an understatement. It highlights how Bollywood and mainstream cinema across the country has shied away from AIDS, which remains hidden from popular consciousness even though a reported four million Indians are believed to have the HIV virus. The epidemic is spreading rapidly from urban to rural areas and from high-risk groups to the general population.
India has the second-largest concentration of AIDS-afflicted people, behind sub-Saharan Africa which has an estimated 28 million sufferers.
Mahesh Manjrekar's Nidaan and Rituparno Ghosh's Ashukh are some of the feature films that deal with the subject. Art need not be prompted by a social cause, but there have hardly been any other movies on the subject. Certainly, they failed to make an impact.
"The problem may have been that it is difficult to portray an AIDS victim than other diseases like cancer or tuberculosis, the reason why heroes can be made to suffer from them," says a film writer. "But that is all right. I do not see any reason why a film has to be made on a subject because it is a great social concern," he says.

May 27, 2004
After 'Mitra- My Friend', actress- turned - director Revathy is ready with a commercial Bollywood film- 'Phir Milenge'. The film stars Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty. The film launched its music in Mumbai recently, where the cast and crew were in full form. The stage was set and the host was asking everyone questions. When Salman Khan's turn came, he was extremely hilarious. The host asked him about action films and he started stretching on the stage and said, "I am aging, so you can see I can't stretch much and therefore I am doing more romantic films than action." Everyone was in a funny mood.
Abhishek Bachchan plays a lawyer in the film, who's going to fight a case for Shilpa Shetty. The story of casting Salman Khan was interesting. "I and Salman were shooting for 'Garv' when I was deciding to do Revathy's film. And I told Salman about the subject of the film and he said he really liked it. When Revathy called me next, I told her that Salman really likes your story," says Shilpa Shetty. And now completing the story Revathy says, "I couldn't believe when Shilpa said this and she handed the phone to Salman.
I spoke to him and he said that the subject is very exciting and that he would want to do it. I almost fainted. So I hung up and then called him again in a few minutes and asked whether he was serious. He said you can go and tell your producers that I am in the film." This is when Revathy found Salman for her film. Revathy and Salman have worked together in the film 'Love', more than a decade ago. But now in 'Phir Milenge' the equations have changed from being co-actors to director and actor.
"It was fun being directed by your co-star. Revathy didn't give me any grief," says Salman. Shankar-Ehsaan- Loy renders the music of the film. "The film is on a sensitive issue like AIDS, so we had to keep our music in synch with the situations. It's the first time we've worked with Revathy and it was truly a pleasure," says the music director trio. As for Abhishek, being directed by woman director was completely amazing, " I have seen Revathy's 'Mitra' and I thought it was a beautiful film.

So when she came to me for a film I happily agreed to it. Revathy being a woman has a different approach to subjects and treats her films differently. It was an experience par excellence to work with her." As for Revathy this will be her first proper commercial feature film. "I was nervous in the beginning about the film, but when my casting was done I felt a little confident. But I am happy with the way it has haped up now and even the music. Shakar-Ehsaan-Loy have done some brilliant work. I hope all of you like the music." This AIDS based film will be releasing next month.

May 27, 2004
A two-hour long wait was what it took to meet the cast and crew of Phir Milenge.
And while the launch of the film's music (Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Bhavatha Raja) was the occasion, the headlining act was Salman Khan.
Thank god for him, awakening us from the stupor compere Suchitra Pillai had lulled us into with her tedious questions.
A stretch here, a kick in the air there, no ripping of the tight brown pants and quips about the film had even his co-stars Abhishek Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty in hysterics. While Salman lamented that he may no longer be able to pull off actions scenes, love he could handle.
For his part Abhishek lamented his one and only black and white lawyer costume. And the media lamented that they didn't get a chance to interact with the actors or to ask director Revathy (Mitr) if her film is indeed a remake, albeit with a female protagonist, of Philadelphia.

'Phir Milenge' is Salman Khan's first film where he is working with a female director.
It is also for the first time that he has been directed by his co-star Revathy, who had worked with Salman in Suresh Krishna's 'Love' ten years back.
Salman is famous for his brattish acts but he was at his gentlemanly best with Revathy. He strongly feels that Revathy is a director to watch out for.

Phir Milenge, Promises Shilpa: India Daily - May 23, 2004
She is the original item girl who twirled fabulously to UP-Bihar lootne much before Khallas happened. But now Shilpa Shetty has her eyes set firmly on another tag: that of an actress worthy of critical acclaim. 
The lissome lass is currently working on a film titled Phir Milenge which stars Abhishek Bachchan and Salman Khan and is being directed by Revathi. ''I agreed to be a part of the film the minute I heard the script,'' reveals Shetty who describes the movie as ''very emotional, very realistic.'' It reportedly revolves around the plight of an AIDS victim though Shetty side-steps the issue by saying, ''it has a message. The film speaks about so much more.'' 
So what prompted her to take on a film helmed by a woman director and how was it working with Revathi, herself an actress? ''She is very accomplished and brings out the best in her actors. As for working in the film, the minute I heard the script, I was determined to be a part of it. It is a very challenging role.'' Apart from that, Shilpa will also be seen in Puneet Issar's cop drama, Garv which sees her pairing with Salman Khan once again. 
From Baazigar to Dhadkan it has been a long journey for Shilpa. Recently she went to Pakistan for a show and the response she got there has her bubbling with excitement. ''I'm so very happy,'' she gushed adding, ''visiting Pakistan was something I've always wanted, I had heard so much about the Pakistanis. And really, this experience has been beyond my wildest expectations. The people here are very warm-hearted, and the women very, very beautiful.'' 
She spoke for the industry while she was there. ''Bollywood has never produced any movie to intentionally hurt Pakistanis. If unintentionally, we have hurt your sentiments, on behalf of the Indian film fraternity, I apologise to everyone today. Never has it been our intention, not in the past nor in future,'' she told the audience there. 
Shilpa also recalls the impromptu moment onstage during her performance when she kissed the Pakistani flag. ''It was not planned nor choreographed,'' she said. She stressed on the fact that whenever tensions rose between the two countries, artists from both sides of the border tried to ignite and develop love and affection between the masses. ''We are working to bring people together,'' she said. 

March 17, 2004
Kareena's chalna hai ka, babu ?' act from 'Chameli' caught the unswerving attention of the audiences with her superior effort. Everyone sat up with amazement on watching the sexy Poo transform into a garishly dressed commercial sex-worker. But it wasn't the first time an Indian actress was ready to take on a bold role. For Bollywood is a-changing, indeedy-do.
In evidence is Revathy's 'Phir Milenge' that has arrested all media attention with the buzz that the sensual Shilpa Shetty was playing the role of an AIDS victim. Quite a shocking bit of news, considering our heroines all want to play pristine virgins. And would probably be intimidated by taking on such a daring characterization of a taboo topic in Indian society. But before we could rush to the presses with claps on the back for Ms Shetty, another bit of news surprised us. That it was Salman who was playing the role of the AIDS victim and not Ms. Shetty. And we are all left bemused, wondering what the truth is and who is playing liar, liar.
We asked Shilpa to clarify and she responded with, "If I even squeak about my role, or who is playing what in the film, my producers will be furious. So I can't let you on to that. It's strange how the media is reacting to one of us playing an AIDS victim - that's only a part of the story. 'Phir Milenge' is a beautiful love story that has been handled very sensitively by Revathy. As for who is playing the AIDS victim, well, that’s the mystery that should lure people into the theatres. So please see it." Sure Shilpa. After that, phir milenge.

March 11, 2004
For all his brawn, most people know that Salman Khan has a kind heart. But one person who can vouch for this is actress Revathi (better know for directing Mitr: My Friend). When Revathi approached Khan to star in her second film Phir Milenge, he immediately said yes, without thinking for a second. Of course, so did Shilpa Shetty and Abhishek Bachchan.
A small-budget film written by Atul Sabharwal, Phir Milenge has been shot in only six months and is scheduled for a May release.
Produced by Percept Picture Company (Percept D'Mark's film division),Phir Milenge is a triangular love story. Shilpa will play an AIDS patient, while Salman has been cast in the role of her boyfriend and Abhishek as her lawyer.
And before you brand this an art film, think again. "It's is not an art film at all," says Rauf Ahmed, creative director (events), who also looks into the films division of Percept D' Mark. He adds, "Percept is producing 15 films this year, the first of which is Phir Milenge. There are also other projects under discussion. We're looking at doing films with Priyadarshan, Vishal Bharadwaj, Gulzar and Tigmanshu Dhulia."

November 26, 2003
Have you seen Shilpa Shetty lately? Well, the DHADKAN actress has undergone a sea-change vis-à-vis her looks. Reason? PHIR MILENGE. That's the title of actress Revathi's film, starring Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Shilpa in the lead.
"It's an amazing experience working with a director like Revathi," Shilpa updates, "And if the script is equally challenging, it's sone pe suhaaga." Not wanting to divulge more about the film at this juncture, Shilpa says that she has trimmed her long tresses to suit the requirements of the role. "I've never been so charged about any film earlier. I've never felt so fulfilled as an actress."
Shobhana bagged the National Award for a class act in Revathi's earlier flick MITR. Will Shilpa bag one this time around, only time will tell!

November 04, 2003
Revathi has roped in Salman Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Shilpa Shetty for her yet untitled film.
Shilpa plays a girl who works in an advertising agency and undergoes a life-changing experience. Salman plays Shilpa's boyfriend, while Abhishek Bachchan has got a more powerful role as that of an advocate in Revathi's Hindi film. Salman Khan has earlier worked with Revathi in Love and is supposed to have given consent immediately.
Shilpa Shetty has just finished shooting in Chennai with Revathi and she is very excited. She says, " I've never felt so fulfilled before as an actress." Revathi4s, "Mitr - My Friend" in English got Shobhana a National Award.