So what if her first directorial 'Filhaal' didn't hit the jackpot? Raakhee and Gulzar's daughter, Meghna Gulzar (aka Bosky) is fighting back with her second- 'Just Married', starring Fardeen Khan and Esha Deol. The film releases this month. Excerpts from an interview with TWF correspondent Vickey Lalwani.

You have taken nearly four years after 'Filhaal'?
I wasn't sitting idle. I hate twiddling my thumbs. I wrote a lot of scripts, did some music videos and also a biography on my dad. But yes, I didn't direct a film and it was not out of choice. I couldn't get a like-minded producer easily- because I wanted to do something different and not the run-of-the mill cinema.

How did 'Just Married' Happen?
I had two scripts- one was a dark film. Pritish Nandy Communications (PNC) liked both. We were putting both of them together, but this one happened faster.

What is 'Just Married' about?
Abhay (Fardeen) and Ritika (Esha) have never held hands, never walked together in the rain, never romanced each other and yet, as per ritual, they have to spend 5 days together in one room, with one bed, as husband wife in a situation where they are expected to love each other and become lovers. Just Married is a movie that starts where most others end.

It is a film set amidst middle class Indians where romance and love start at the ultimate commitment-marriage. Will Abhay and Ritika find friendship and become lovers? Will they survive their new found relationship as husband and wife?

Will that dark film happen with PNC in future?
Not sure. I have outgrown that film a bit. Hence, it's gone into the cold storage. In terms of writing, my mind is thinking in another direction now.

How did Esha and Fardeen get cast in 'Just Married'?
I had Esha in mind from the word 'Go'. Even before I penned the film, I had Esha in mind. Pritish Nandy's daughter Rangita quite liked Esha's choice. PNC had a prior working relationship with Fardeen. When they suggested his name, I immediately felt that he fitted the character of the 21st century male which I had conceived for the male lead in Just Married.

Esha acquired a very glamorous image after Dhoom. You are showing her as shy and demure?
Esha has a very Indian face and a sexy body. She can carry off both the roles- Indian and western- with equal ease and élan.

'Just Married' is Fardeen and Esha's fourth film together. None of their earlier three has worked at the Box Office. Does that worry you?
(Laughs) Not at all. Each film treats the characters differently. Every film is a different ball game.

How much did your dad and mum contribute in the writing of Just Married?
I did show them the first draft, but so far they have never had any difference of opinions. My mom hasn't even seen a still photograph of the film yet.

'Just Married' was earlier titled 'Baat Pakki'?
Just Married suits better. It is catchier, bolder and funnier.

You rejected one of your dad's poems in the lyrics of this film?
Two creative people are bound to differ with each other. There was one song where we had different ideas. He brought in a few changes I was happy. He is a man who is always open to suggestions and resistance.

Do you think 'Just Married' will reach out to a larger audience than 'Filhaal' did?
Every film-maker aims for commercial success and wants to better his previous work. I think that I have answered your question.

How come you doing a film with Sanjay Gupta? You and he are two diametrically opposite poles, isn't it?
That's the beauty of it, sometimes. In life, you ought to do things which you never expected will ever happen.

What is that film about? How did it happen?
Gupta called me up and I am quite kicked about the project he offered me. It is a film titled 'Bread, Butter and Cash', which will be my next full-fledged assignment; the casting is yet to be done though. Also, I am directing one story from the ten stories in his forthcoming 'Dus Kahaniyan'.