Q: A section of the Indian press claimed that Pakistanis were upset with your film Veer-Zaara?
A: I've no clue where that came from. When I attended the lunch for the Pakistani delegation at Rashtrapati Bhavan recently, I was amazed at the positive comments about Veer-Zaara.

When the Pakistani President's chief of staff praised the film, I asked him why Pakistan hadn't release the film there if he found it so praiseworthy. He said there was opposition from radical sections. But I'm confident that the doors between the two countries will open very soon.

Q: Do you think Veer-Zaara could've started movie trade between the two countries?
A: There are some things in life that need to happen but take time. Friendship between the two countries is one such thing. At the lunch at Rashtrapati Bhavan, I felt a very positive attitude among the Pakistani delegates.

Unki neeyat bahut saaf thi. We've reason to be optimistic about the relations between the two countries and for the future of Hindi cinema in Pakistan. Let's hope for the best.

Q: Veer-Zaara seems to have become bigger outside India than within the country...
A: When I went with the movie to Berlin, there were people weeping in the theatres. Now we're releasing a German dub of the film. As for its fate in India, it was the biggest hit of 2004.

It did Rs 25 crore worth of business overseas and a little more in India. I guess people have made Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge the benchmark of success for a Yashraj film. That's something that will not happen again.

Q: You recently announced your retirement from awards. Does that mean you won't direct any more?
A: I'll continue to direct films until the day I die. During the awards this year, I was constantly asked how it felt to be nominated for the best director award along with youngsters like Farhan Akhtar, Ashutosh Gowariker, Farah Khan and Kunal Kohli.

They are as old as my children. I thought to myself, it's high time I step aside. That doesn't mean I'll give up directing films. I'd like to die with my boots on.

Q: In the meanwhile Yashraj Films continues to produce box office hits.
A: We're blessed. On May 27, we will release our new production Bunty Aur Babli just after Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge will complete 500 weeks on May 13. It's unheard of in the film industry!

But before that, I've got Kaal coming up. Karan's (Johar) film is my film. He's like my son. Then there's Dhoom 2 with Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu and Uday Chopra, which start in June and Kunal Kohli will start another project with Aamir Khan and Kajol in August.

Q: And your son Aditya?
A: I can't say what he'll make. But he'll start his film this year.