Remaking a golden hit is dicey business. The comparisons are inevitable. Let's come to the point right away. Will Himesh Reshammiya live up to the high standards set by Rishi Kapoor in Karzzzz? Has he portrayed the character of Monty as convincingly as the veteran?

"Let's not compare Rishi-ji and Himesh, " Karzzzz director Satish Kaushik tells me, "I guess, the comparisons are inevitable, but no one can match Rishi-ji's performance in that film.

At the same time, I'd like to add that Himesh is superb in Karzzzz. I am an actor myself. I can judge between good, bad and amateur performances and I have to admit, he has surprised me with his performance."

Please continue. "Himesh knows the grammar of acting right. Even in his first film (AAP KAA SURROOR), Himesh made a sincere attempt to look the character.

And when we started Karzzzz, he told me categorically that he wasn't trying to compete with anyone. He said he was ready to put in a lot of hard work, but his motive is never to outdo anyone. That's why people relate to him. His simplicity makes him a winner, " the talented director adds.

What about Urmila Matondkar? Is she as effective in Karzzzz? After all, people are bound to compare her work with Simi Grewal's sterling act?

"She's fantastic! In fact, we've made the character even more venomous than the original. And Urmila has portrayed it so convincingly that I used to often tease her ki tumhara naam Kaamini se badalkar kameeni rakh dena chahiye, " he laughs.