He has been nominated for various awards no less than 16 times as a writer.

And why not with films like Rangeela, Yes Boss, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and Khubsoorat in his bag, it is surprising that Sanjay Chel did not win all those 16 awards.

For those of you who think this what Sanjay Chhel is all about read on. He is a director and a lyricist as well. His first directorial venture Khubsoorat was a big success and he even penned the lyrics for chartbusters like Ae Shivani, Nikamma kiya is dill ne and Ghungat mein chand hoga.

Interestingly enough, for his latest film Man Gaye Mughal e Azam Sanjay has donned all the hats. He has scripted, directed and written the lyrics for the film.

"Managing all these creative functions single- handedly makes me more involved in filmmaking. I feel directing the film flows naturally from writing script and finally writing the lyrics, " says the director in his thirties.

What is the film all about? "Let me clear the confusion at the outset this film does not have anything to do with K Asif's Mughal e Azam.

It is about a drama company which produces thought-provoking plays that are different from the run of the mill and not popular at all.

The story is about how the members get involved with an undercover agent and help in saving the country from a bomb blast, " says the writer- director who has also written the scripts for pathbreaking television shows like Nukkad, Filmy Chakkar, Philips Top Ten and Hamari Bahu Malini Iyer.

Mughal e Azam tries to cash in on the popularity the Rahul Bose and Mallika Sherawat pair gained after the success of Pyaar Ke Side Effects.

"I had not planned it so much. Actually I cast Paresh Rawal first, then Rahul Bose and finally Mallika. The thought of pairing them together did not strike me before!

If you look at it, most of the people working in this film like Paresh Rawal, Zakir Hussain, Pawan Malhotra, Rahul Bose and KK are from the theatre background, " explains Chhel.

The film will remind you of the Eighties' classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro. Chhel admits that and says, "I have always loved the bastraharan scene in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro and have something similar in my film as well.

Interestingly, the place where we shot the scene was a stage where I, Paresh Rawal, Rahul Bose and KK had all performed at some point of our careers. It was quite a lot of nostalgia for us."

Chhel selected Anu Malik as the music director for his film because of the variety of songs that is there. "I needed someone who has been associated with the industry for a long time and can give create all types of songs. I felt no one could do justice to it more than Anu Malik, " says Sanjay.

Now that his film is released and won mixed reviews from all quarters, what are his future plans?

"I have a three-film contract with Percept Picture Company and my next film is Fantastic. It stars Konkona Sen Sharma, Rahul Bose and Paresh Rawal and is a romantic comedy, " says Chhel who takes inspirations from all directors right from Manmohan Desai to Gulzar.

"I am even inspired by Ram Gopal Varma he makes good comedies!" says Chhel known for his tongue-in-cheek brand of humour.