/> The death of Kajol's father on the eve of the release of her very important film U Mr Aur Hum didn't dampen her husband Ajay Devgan's spirits.

Sighs the actor, "Death is something that doesn't come announced. Kajol has taken her father's death very badly. She was very close to her father. The fact that it happened on the eve of the release of our film is not a setback.

Tragedy can happen anytime.There's no correct time or opportunity to prepare for such an eventuality.The family just needs to cope with it in the best way possible, " said Ajay as he proceeded for the recording of a reality show without his bereaved wife.

Sadly Ajay's own father too is apparently unwell. But he'd rather not talk about it.

Ironically Ajay's directorial debut is also about coping with a family tragedy.

Contrary to critical readings Ajay's directorial debut is not derived from the film The Notebook. "I hadn't seem that film or heard of it when I started making U Me Aur Hum.

Later however I did hear about Iris, the film based on the British litterateur Iris Murdoch's life. And I did see that because people told me it was also about a husband coping with his wife's alzheimer's. Alzheimers came into the picture long after I thought of the main idea for my film."

It's then that Ajay got interested in the disease. "I started to read up about the disease. I realized how much suffering the families of the stricken have to go through.

However the initial idea for the film came the portrait of a typical marriage. I wanted to make a film on how a couple goes through life together coping with the biggest of crisis in collaboration without thinking of giving up the fight or surrendering to adversity."

"In fact, " Ajay reveals, "the first sequence I shot was the long monologue on the inherent selfishness of man in the second-half of the film where I tell my friends how being selfish comes naturally to everyone."

Ajay improvided throughout that crucial monologue. Astonishingly enough that sequence as well as all the other vital dramatic sequences were done in one shot with multiple cameras. "I didn't want to lose my actors' spontaneity, you see" says the first-time director with the panache of a seasoned filmmaker.

Turns out, Ajay has been providing vital guidance and tips to his directors for years now, even ghost-directing some of his films.

"I wouldn't like to say that I ghost-directed any of my films. But I've been involved with the technical side of filmmaking from the beginning of my career. Direction was just an inevitable progression in my career. I was just waiting for the right idea to come to me."

And now Ajay is all set to direct another film. "I've a couple of ideas and I need to build on them to see where they go. But one thing is for sure.

I won't make a no-brainer comedy, though I don't mind starring in them, " he laughs, drawing attention to his next release Gol Maal Returns which is as distanced from his directorial debut as creatively possible.

Getting serious Ajay explains, "You must understand that audiences love watching light comedies. I won't direct one. But I'll continue to be in them. Gol Maal Returns is funnier than the first part. No point in taking an idea ahead if it doesn't go any further."

Unlike other actors turned directors, Ajay didn't find it tough to handle both the roles. "Not at all. I was very comfortable directing myself. As it is I've done that quite often, "the cheek is firmly in the tongue.

Will his next directorial venture star Kajol? "I don't see why not. She's a fantastic actress and such a professional that the minute we were on sets for U Me Aur Hum she stopped being my wife and became my leading lady.

Of course she was hands-on as the film's producer. But once the camera was switched on she was only the character she played."