David Dhawan wants to release his film the same day his son's film releases

IN what will probably be a first for Bollywood, a father and son plan to fight it out by releasing their films on the same day. That is, of course, if David Dhawan has his way. Both Dhawan and his son Rohit are approaching completion of their films (Rascals by Dhawan, Desi Boyz by first-time director Rohit).

Dhawan is actually keen on the clash. "I'd love to have both films release on the same Friday. It would give me a great high to compete with my own son, and an even greater high if his film does better, " says the proud father.

But he will have to convince Sanjay Dutt first. Dutt, who is producing Rascals, is eager to release the film as soon as possible, even as Desi Boyz is set to release only on November 25. But Dhawan is hopeful that he can convince Dutt. "Sanju and I go back a long way. He would never say no to me, " Dhawan says.

So how much has Dhawan helped his son in his debut directorial venture? Hardly, says Dhawan. In fact, the only time he visited the sets was during the mahurat shot.

After that, says Dhawan, his son forbade him from coming over. But the irrepressible director of smash hits from the 1990s like Hero No 1 was unable to keep away. He recently managed to catch a few rushes of his son's film.

"It was the most moving moment of my life. Mera beta jawaan ho gaya. His style of filmmaking is very different from mine and yet there are certain elements I can identify with, " he says.