He tickles the funny bone of one and all, with whatever he does. Then be it direction, acting or production; he has donned all the hats with great aplomb. Leaving an indelible mark as a film-maker to bring women-centric issues into the limelight, his films such as Humara Dil Aapke Ke Pass Hai, Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain and many more have become iconic of our times.

And yet again he has touched upon a sensitive issue of an unmarried kid girl in his forthcoming film ‘Tere Sang'; which stars himself, Ruslaan Mumtaz, Raja Kapoor, Neena Gupta, Sushmita Mukherjee and a new face named Sheena Shahabadi.

In a candid interview, Satish Kaushik opens-up on his film based on an underage love story that deals with teenage pregnancy.

The tagline of Teree Sang is ‘it's a kidult movie'. What does kidult word suggest?
Interestingly, the word ‘kidult' has been coined by the same person who coined ‘adolescent'. The idea to use the word in the tagline was by our screenplay/dialogue writer Jainendra Jain. Unfortunately, Teree Sang was his last film; as he is no more among us.

He had churned-out the screenplays of almost all my films like Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain, Judaii and many more which did extremely well at the box-office. So, considering the fact that Teree Sang is a romantic love story of kids who fall in the age group of 15-17, the word ‘kidult' perfectly fits the bill.

So, tell us more about Teree Sang?
Teree Sang is a cute romantic story; as I said earlier of kids who fall in the age group of 15-17. However, there is more to it than just feel-good kind of a love story.

Basically, it showcases the experience of two kids who are too young to understand the meaning of love; and somehow, end up making love to each other. They are ready to face to the consequences together as the girl played by newcomer Sheena becomes pregnant. So, what happens next is something interesting to witness.

The story sounds like the Oscar winning Hollywood flick Juno. Has the story been shaped on similar lines? And, it's also being compared to Preity Zinta starrer Kya Kehna...
(Immediately interrupts) Oh Teree Sang has a different plot altogether. The only similarity between Juno and my film is that both the films have young kids as protagonist. Unlike Kya Kehna which dealt with the pregnancy of a college girl and eventually turned out to be a love-triangle between Preity, Saif and Chandrachur.

As far as Juno goes; I had not even the slightest idea of this film, while I was working on Teree Sang. In-fact, it was at the Toronto film festival where Brick Lane was to be screened that I got aware of Juno.

At the Toronto film festival itself, I got aware of websites called stand-up girls where one can find countless stories about girls who go through a lot in their lives.

You are a launching a new girl in this film. How was the overall experience of making her enact such a sensitive character? Tell us about your new discovery?
Oh, Sheena is a fabulous actor. Acting comes very naturally to her since her mother Sadhna Singh of ‘Nadiya Ke Par' fame was a marvelous actor. To play an unmarried mother- a teenage girl was not a cake-walk.

However, the kind of conviction she showed throughout the shoot as she eventually got into the skin of the character was commendable. Especially, the love making scene, she seemed so uncomfortable initially, but, played it so aesthetically later. I am sure she has a long way to go.

As far as your selection of genres goes, one can see most of your films have been women-centric. Why this special inclination towards woman?
Honestly, (smiles) knowingly or unknowingly; I have always had an empathetic attitude towards women. As soon as I sit to pen down

my thoughts or script, my mind just looks out for a woman character and eventually, I come up with women-centric films. This fascination for women has its history too (blushes). I was a small kid when I would just freak out watching ladies drive cars or two-wheelers.

But don't you think despite you and filmmakers like Madhur Bhandarkar; who has experimented with women-centric film, female actors have not got their share of success? It is still a male-dominated industry.
(Chuckles) Well, whether it is male or female dominated industry, one thing which I assure is- I will continue writing women-centric subject. Personally speaking, I don't see a question of men or women domination.

All I gauge considering my experience in the industry is that; women have been ruling the roost since the time of Surayaji and will continue with newcomers like Sheena.

Coming back to Teree Sang; the concept, which you have touched upon is an issue that is rampant in present time. Do you think the exposure of Western culture is responsible for this? What stand have you taken in the film?
I have tried to be neutral and presented all points of view. See, when one depicts any social issue in the form of a movie; one has to make sure the movie should have its entertainment quotient in place.

We have not tried to preach someone from Teree Sang. We have tried to be in everyone's shoes; be it law makers; kids or parents, we have conveyed a message through this film.

What about your presence in the film, was it the demand of the character or you wished to be a part?
Well, I had approached many veteran actors like Om Puri, Farookh Sheikh and my dear friend Anupam as well. However, none of them could manage with the dates.

So, Teree Sang's co-producer Bharat Shah recommended me to do the role by saying I would perfectly fit in the bill. Eventually, even I felt that I was the right choice for I knew the depth of the character.

What kind of promotional strategies have you thought upon as far as Teree Sang is concerned?
(Smiles) I think the kid-girl with a blown belly on the hoardings all over will attract the audience's attention and bring them to see a fun yet sensible film.