Subhash Ghai, who has recently sold the rights for his "Karz" to T Series for a remake, refuses to predict the fate of Himesh Reshammiya's version of his musical thriller but at the same time he praises the singer-composer-actor saying he is today's Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

"I'm no authority to judge the future work of any talent. Himesh may even prove better, who knows? I know Laxmikant-Pyarelal did a fabulous job in my 'Karz'. But I'm sure Himesh will do a good job. Himesh is today's Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Time brings new people too."

Ghai admits "Karz", which had Tina Munim and Simi Garewal, was partially inspired by "The Reincarnation of Peter Proud".

"Yes, but only in one scene where Peter meets his mother. The rest of the story and script was written afresh as per Indian myths and beliefs. You have to see 'Reincarnation of Peter Proud' to see how different it was from 'Karz'."

Ghai is working with Gulzar for the first time in his new directorial venture "Main Yuvraj".

Why a change from Javed Akhtar? The producer-director said: "It's the script that tells a director to choose the right talent and technicians to justify the mood of the film. It's nothing personal. You've to wait and watch what we do together."

"Every film of mine has its own rhythm and pattern. 'Khalnayak' came after 'Saudagar'. 'Pardes' came after 'Khalnayak'. 'Taal' came after 'Pardes'. Every film is a new child with a different face for a director and he enters into a new avenue, risk and challenges. That's the thrill of a good director being on the scene."

But before "Main Yuvraj", which will feature Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anil Kapoor, Ghai has a smaller directorial venture, "Black & White", ready for release.

He defends the 'smallness' of the venture.

"Mukta (production house) has given 'Iqbal' and 'Joggers' Park' too. They were smaller but intimate films. Yes, 'Black & White' is being made under the Mukta Searchlight banner with minimum budget. It's an issue-based subject with a different approach. Whereas 'Main Yuvraj' is a full-on entertainer to release in 2008.

"Let's see what Subhash Ghai brings to you. May be a surprise if not a shock. He is working hard as usual with a smile," he ends in the third person in the true showman fashion.