Is it right for me to say that in the world economic crisis, EMI is the only way out this year end?
(laughs) Definitely yes. But on the serious side, I'd say unfortunate because the scenario is pretty much dead the world over. From a producer and the film's point of view, there couldn't have been a better time for EMI to release.

So what made you produce EMI? The new director, the story or your close friend Sanjay Dutt?
It will always be the story of EMI which impressed me because it covered people from all walks of life. The story has a problem that I always saw rising in India.

We have a tendency to follow the western culture and with the credit card companies coming in, people didn't forecast the impact of what would happen if they tried using their credit cards. It was this subject that really inspired me the most.

EMI also made a great commercial sense because it had a character called Sattarbhai who works as the recovery agent for the bank which was very interesting.

That's when I thought and decided that if Sanju could hear and liked it, we'd probably go ahead with the film. Sanju loved the script instantly and we started shooting ten days after he heard the script.

EMI, Easy Monthly Installments is a serious issue off screen. Do you think the film is looking at it not so seriously?
No it's not. The promos the film might look not so serious and the viewer might think there is a lot of humour to it.

Sanju plays Sattarbhai who initially tries to recover the money by bashing up people but slowly understands that there is a whole lot of a serious issue to it than what it looks from the outside.

When you get into the house, you realise the problems that a particular family is having and if there could be a solution offered to their problem it could help them. So more than the bank, it is Sattarbhai who understands them and comes out with an answer to it. The film has a very happy ending too.

But why Sanjay Dutt for Sattarbhai?
When Saurabh Kabra, the director, narrated me the character called Sattarbhai, the only image in my head going through was that of Sanjay Dutt who is larger than life and all heart.

There was nobody I could've thought of except him when it came to Sattarbhai. After Munnbhai, Sanju's soft side was loved by people. So I hope people love him in EMI too.

You've always been the most successful businessman cum actor in the industry. Does that make you the jack of all trades?
If you say so, Yes (laughs). But an actor first, then a producer and then a businessman. It's purely because of my branding as an actor that people know me, believe in me and do business with me.

Fortunately for me, I did my B.Com, then my Hotel Management. So somewhere down the line, it has only helped me. That's why I also strongly believe that whatever profession you end up with, it is very crucial to educate yourself and you'll see the world open in front of you.

Tell a bit more about the different characters in EMI.
Ashish Chowdhary and Neha Uberoi represent the young couple who are in love and want to get married because they believe that the world is a beautiful place where both of them are making money.

They now want a house on EMI, car on EMI and everything on the credit card. It gets difficult after a while and that's what they both go through. Then there is a story of a new boy, Pushkar, who wants to go to London to study and the father does not have money but also believes that if he does not do it now, his son will blame him for the rest of his life.

And when he does manage to come back from the lush green outskirts of London, he wants to then become a photographer. So how will the EMI be paid?

Then there is Urmila's character who has a high flying husband who thinks that he can conquer the world. But when he can't match up the pressure, he ends up killing himself and how she as a widow takes care of her daughter and the EMI. And lastly, there is Arjun Rampal and Mallaika Arora who get hooked on by the EMI. So there is a lot of diversity in this film.

Have you ever misused your credit card?
Not really. I've lived within my means but the thing is that you've always got a sword of EMI hanging on top of you whether it's for your tax benefits or taking money on interest. You do get stuck in situations like that but so far I've managed it.

I come from a simple background and even from a company point of view; I know that there is recession world wide. I know the industry is going through a lot but somewhere down the line I know what my role is, that of the content provider. So I didn't jump the gun and played it safe.

After coming out of the prison, Sanjay Dutt first shot for EMI. Did his personal grievances come in play while filming?
As a matter of fact, I got to know the real Sanjay Dutt only during that period when he was going through a low phase and then when he was arrested.

When the first letter that came to me from Sanju said, 'I'm sorry Anna. I wanted to start and complete the film but I don't think I have kept my word. I don't know when I'll be out. If you believe you need to take someone else, go ahead and complete the film. I don't want Popcorn to suffer."

That was one of the most touching letters sent to me ever. That's why I believe that the industry calls him 'baba' only because he is all heart. He does first and then thinks, which has also got him in a lot of mess.

Sanju has such a huge fan following only because of the way his well wishers feel for him and how much they love and miss him.

So what's next in the pipeline for you Anna?
After EMI, from Popcorn, I've got a film called A little Godfather which is about the Mumbai train blasts that took place and what happened to the kids who do their daily business in and out of the train selling things. It's a very emotional film.

Then I've got Mumbai Chak-a-Chak which is a story about a man's obsession about cleanliness and how he wants to see his Mumbai clean. As an actor I've got this lovely film by Indra Kumar and Ashok Thakeria's next called Daddy Cool.

Any message you want to give to those who are or are not in an EMI mess after Diwali?
Watch EMI very closely because somewhere down the line each and everyone of us will relate to the eight or ten characters we have in the film. So rather than getting depressed, if we realise our mistakes through this film and get the message right, you'll enjoy the film.