Sanjay Leela Bhansali blends commercial cinema with art with his latest offering, 'Saawariya', where he introduces Ranvir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor.

Q. Are you nervous about your forthcoming release, 'Saawariya'?
A. Absolutely not. I get nervous before making a movie, not after. I keep thinking, before I make a film, how it will look, what people will say, will it be better than my previous works, etc.

All these thoughts make me nervous. However, the satisfaction I get after completing a film is immense. I do not get too excited with the success of a film, nor do I get too disappointed with its failure.

Q. Did the script demand fresh faces, or was there something else on your mind?
A. I have worked with stars in all my films till date. After 'Black', where I worked with Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee, I wondered to myself, "Now what?" I thought I could either make an offbeat film, or return to mainstream stuff.

The appreciation I had received after 'Black' could be sustained only if I got new actors for my next. I challenged myself – I had to make something that was different from all the movies I have directed so far, and so I took the first step towards 'Saawariya'.

The two of them – Ranvir and Sonam – were my assistant directors. However, when they came to work for me, I knew that they were here to act, not do anything else. I had also taken screen tests of both. Working with newcomers makes me feel young all over again.

Q. What are your expectations from Ranvir and Sonam?
A. I would have never signed them on, if I did not see some talent in them. Both are going to go a long way – they are good looking and focused, talented, and willing to learn. It is very important to have intelligence these days, and these two have loads of it.

They are not like other star kids – both of them are not arrogant because of their background. They do not want their parents to be embarrassed because of them, but to be proud of them. That is what makes both Ranvir and Sonam special.

Q. Is there a reason why you gave Monty Sharma a chance with the music, instead of your favourite, Ismail Darbar?
A. I have worked with Monty in 'Devdas' and 'Black' earlier. Since there were new actors and new singers, I saw no harm in getting a new composer.

I wanted fresh music, with passion and integrity. Ismail and I are very close, almost brothers, and that is why he would not take my work seriously, postponing things, etc. I did not want that to happen to this movie.

When a person moves away from his work towards the world of glamour, I believe something starts missing from his work, something that used to make him stand apart at one point.

Q. New actors and huge expectations. You are a one-man show.
A. That is not true. The actors and singers may be new, but they have proved themselves. Ranvir and Sonam were born with stardom – I just taught them how to act. A big star and a good actor are two different things. My responsibility was to make them good actors. This is the first Indian film, where the entire movie has been shot in a set.

Q. How different is the Sanjay who directed 'Khamoshi' from the one who directed 'Saawariya'?
A. The Sanjay who made 'Khamoshi' was rejected by the audience and critics, while the Sanjay who made 'Saawariya' has a following. There was no audience for 'Khamoshi', now 'Saawariya' is awaited with zeal.

I felt weak then, I feel bold and stronger now. I am more polished now. The one thing in common between the two Sanjays is the willingness to work hard towards a goal. I am still the simple, sensitive Sanjay that I was then.

Q. Salman Khan says that your films always go over-budget. Do you worry about money?
A. Like I said, I do not want to compromise on my movies. I believe in living for the moment. I do not want to think, fifty years hence, that I cheated on my vision because of money.

Not just money, even the time, set, location, music and dance – I do not want to repent on any of these aspects. I want every detail in my movies to be imprinted in the minds of the audience.

Q. Was it a good move to let Salman Khan and Rani Mukherjee share screen space with Ranvir and Sonam?
A. Salman and Rani are part of the story. Their support is necessary. If I had taken lesser actors, then it would have fallen flat on its face. What they have brought to the movie is incredible.

They not only supported Ranvir and Sonam, they taught them as well. The kids were not allowed to worry because these two fine actors were there. They showered a lot of affection on the newcomers.

Q. Is it true that the story is based on Dostoevsky's short story, 'White Nights'?
A. Yes, it is. I read the story after I made the film 'Black'. I read many more stories, but they lacked that potential in them to make a good movie. This story had a lot of passion, movement and situations.

The characters touch your heart. And yet, it is a simple story. The protagonist can be a Hindi movie hero. I made the story a movie which would imbibe any kind of music.

It is a story of pure love, the stuff that Hindi movies are made of. It was a challenge for me to capture the Indianness of the story and to make it a commercial film.

Q. We catch a glimpse of the RK Banner in your movie.
A. I am blessed to have Raj Kapoor's name mentioned in my film. No one could have imagined that I, one of his biggest fans, would launch the fourth generation star grandson of the man who launched many stars. That is why I have christened my lead Ranvir Raj. This is my way of paying tribute to a great filmmaker.

Q. Your movie will release on the same day as 'Om Shanti Om'. Apprehensive?
A. I don't believe in collision and comparison. Shah Rukh and Farah have made a movie that is entirely different from the one I have made. The two movies are not comparable. Farah and I are different from each other as filmmakers.

Both Shah Rukh and Farah are my friends. And I do not compete with friends. Of course, I hope 'Om Shanti Om' runs, but I hope 'Saawariya' runs better. Creativity should call for healthy competition, where one can better his work. - Rajnee Gupta