/> Never before has such an alliance been seen in the Indian film industry. Two of Bollywood's foremost avant-garde directors Prakash Jha and Sudhir Mishra have joined hands for a merger that could have far-reaching repercussions.

Starting with Sudhir Mishra new film Yeh Saali Zaindagi featuring Irrfan Khan, Chitrangda and Arunodoy Singh, Prakash Jha's vast production house, currently riding the crest of success with Raajneeti, has taken charge of Mishra's films.

Mishra can barely contain his relief. "Now I can just focus on making my films and not look anxiously over my shoulder at what will happen to my films after I complete it.I am an inherently creative person and have little idea of production and marketing."

In fact Mishra, known to be a fiercely independent-minded filmmaker has happily incorporated in Yeh Saali Zindagi suggestions made by Prakash Jha.

Adds Prakash, "Sudhir and I are basically like-minded filmmakers. Yes, I'm jointly producing Yeh Zindagi Saali with him.If two filmmakers can see in the same line if vision, then why not? I did suggest some changes during editing. Sudhir didn't mind incorporating them. He will also be at liberty to make suggestions about films I direct."

Prakash in fact intends to produce more films for Sudhir Mishra and other outside directors as well.Debutante director Alankrita Shrivastava's Turning 30 which Jha is producing is about a suburban 30-year old woman (Gul Panag)'s tryst with loneliness, unwanted attention and self-fufilment.

While Jha would personally direct the big blockbusters Raajneeti-style, outside directors would've the freedom to create a more intimate tightly budgeted cinema for Prakash Jha Productions.

Jha would've the final word on the scripts and the editing.

So it's creative freedom with curbs?

Protests Jha, "It's only fair that I should have the right to fine-tune the script and editing. I don't see that as curbing of any director's freedom. I want to create a platform for another kind of directorial voice."

Old friend Nana Patekar is expected to direct a film for Prakash Jha.