Yash Chopra to return to direction. He speaks to Subhash K Jha on present & future plans...

Q: Are you finally directing another film?
A: I've been lying low because my son Aditya directed a film (Mohabbatein), then we all got busy with his marriage. Then there were productions to look into. But the biggest reason for my absence from direction was I couldn't find a script and no idea was getting me excited.

There's an intellectual bankruptcy in Hindi cinema. Scriptwriters only come to me with copies of Hollywood films. I'm finally directing a film this year. I'm sure 2002 was the darkest period for Hindi cinema. Things have improved.

Only the dedicated sincere filmmakers will survive. Let tell me tell you, the whole world has its eyes glued on Indian cinema. We can't let them or ourselves down. We've to cross the international line of entertainment.

Q: Your new hi-tech studio is the talk of the entire film world.
A: God has been very kind to me. I haven't done anything to deserve any of the good things that are happening to Yashraj Films. When I started as a filmmaker none of the hi-tech facilities were available to me.

Now my son Aditya and I are able to provide every possible facility to any filmmaker who wants to make a film. Everything from song recording to shooting a film....everyone who has come to our studio so far is very happy.

Q: Sanjay Leela Bhansali thinks Yashraj Studios is a dream come true for filmmakers?
A: I'm so glad. I must say I'm very proud to see him win all these awards. The day I saw Black I told Sanjay only he had the courage and conviction to make this film. In Mauritius for the Zee awards I told him, 'If they don't give you the awards it's their credibility at stake.' He's a brilliant director and we're proud to have him record in our studio.

I knew our studio wouldn't be a commercially viable proposition. It would take us at least ten-fifteen years to recover our investments. But I'm very happy to be returning to the film industry some of what it has given me. When people call our studio a temple of work, I'm elated.

We've seven recording studios, three sound stages and the whole complex is air-conditioned. And the lighting is entirely computerized.We've still two more floors of expansion. But for now we ran out of resources.

Q: What are your plans as a producer?
A: We're readying three films for release. On 26 May we're releasing 'Fanaa' with Aamir Khan and Kajol—for the first time opposite each other. Then we've a slightly different film Kabul Express with John Abraham and Arshad Warsi --very different from what people expect from Yashraj Films. Then on Diwali we're releasing Dhoom 2. In fact the whole cast of Dhoom 2 is currently in Rio de Janeiro.

Q: That's quite a lot of variety....
A: We don't want to get too much into quantity. We'd rather focus on quality. We've a lot of different actors and directors with differing sensibilities working for us. Aditya looks after the productions. I don't intervene at all. He is supervising all the productions while I'll be concentrating on the film that I'll direct.

For the last few months I had been to several film festivals in Berlin, Dubai, Marrakesh....Now I want to get down to direction. No travelling, no awards functions. I'm no longer accepting awards. I'll only concentrate now on my film and my studios. I want to start my film as soon as possible.

Q: I believe you are remaking your own Kabhi Kabhie?
A: I don't know who started this rumour. I've no intentions of re-making Kabhi Kabhie or any of my old films. Why should I? I'd rather make a film based on a new idea. I don't know why people want to believe I'm remaking Kabhi Kabhie. Maybe they like the idea. I don't. But I'm starting my film this year, the moment the script is ready.

Q: Will it star Amitji and Shah Rukh?
A: These are my two favourite actors. Amitji and I have known each other for thirty-five years. We've gone beyond a director-actor relationship. We're friends. If he wants me to make a film, I'll do it happily. And he can never say no to me.

Q: He tells this story of how he walked over to your place to ask for a role in Mohabbatein?
A: What are friends for if not to do such small things? It's his generosity that made him do Mohabbatein and he gave such a memorable performance.

Q: Today Yashraj is the largest filmmaking empire in the country.
A: It's a scary thing. We try to make the films that we believe in. Every Friday a new destiny is chalked out for some filmmakers, not just in India but all over the world. The cinema business has become unpredictable. All we can do is work with sincerity.

Q: There has been almost cent-percent success for Yashraj Films in recent years?
A: More than hard work, it's God's blessings. Of course every director works very very hard. But I believe there's a power above hard work. Look at Lataji. Why do you think she's a legend beyond all human definition? She's my sister and I'm so proud of her.

Even at 75 she has sung perfectly for me in Veer-Zara and gave the songs emotions that are unimaginable. Yeh agar bhagwan ki kripa nahin hai to aur kya hai? That's why I say she's one singer who doesn't follow music, music follows her.

When I see her I feel very small and humbled. There're no words to describe her. She's truly the Bharat Ratna. I'm blessed to have her love.

Q: You are as unspoilt as she is.
A: You are right. I never planned any of the things that happened to me. They kept happening one after another. It's all God's blessing.