If there is one thing about prolific filmmaker Suneel Darshan that needs no reiteration, it is his ability to connect with the masses.

Suneel's "Jaanwar" and "Andaaz" were both hits in the second and third level cities as much as the metros. But he feels slighted and unacknowledged by the media.

"I have stopped thinking about why I am not given my due. It doesn't bother me as long as the audiences are with me," he said, sounding far from bitter on the eve of the release of his new film "Barsaat" where Suneel's favourite hero Akshay Kumar was substituted by Akshay's buddy Bobby Deol.

Suneel sighs and reveals: "Akshay went through personal problems (there was a rumour that he was involved with Priyanka Chopra). We started shooting with Akshay and Priyanka. We shot a song with them. After that the film kept getting delayed as Akshay sorted out his dilemma."

Suneel is protective about his blue-eyed boy. "You have to understand it was a grave domestic issue for Akshay. Otherwise he'd have never walked out of the film. He couldn't have let me down after the way I've stood by him over the years. The provocation had to be very serious.

"His (Akshay's) behaviour did cause problems for me professionally. When a filmmaker invests so much in a film, he's within his rights to expect loyalty from his actors. But then personal dilemmas have to be sorted out before professional loyalties are considered...I don't blame Akshay for anything. But, yes, his 11th hour, in fact, 13th hour back-out did cause havoc in my film," he said.

"First he insisted that I sign no actor but him. Then he dropped out. Thank god, Bobby bailed me out... Someday I'll edit the song I shot with Akshay in 'Barsaat' and use it somewhere."

Bobby was meant to be part of another Suneel project.

"But after 'Barsaat' was hero-less, Bobby felt he was meant to be in another film called 'Barsaat'. After all, he had started his career with a film of that title. Destiny willed that he come back to a film called 'Barsaat'. And look at the coincidence. Both the films with Bobby have music by Nadeem-Shravan. I'm sure this 'Barsaat' will bring Bobby back."

Suneel speaks fondly of his permanent music composer duo Nadeem-Shravan.

"I've always been a Nadeem fan. He is par excellence. He has a proven track record in the last 15 years. They've out-priced themselves lately, what with the music industry crashing. I have my own label now to release my music. It ensures that my music doesn't suffer in the market."

It is obvious that Akshay remains Suneel's favourite.

"I feel I've played a hand in shaping his career. Till today he doesn't have a solo success without me. 'Waqt' had Bachchan and it was a sectional success. 'Mujhse Shadi Karogi' had Salman too. In my hit 'Andaaz', Akshay was alone with Priyanka and Lara. I'm sure he didn't mind sharing his success with the ladies."

Incidentally, the 'Barsaat' hero is named Aarav, which is Akshay's son's name.

"I can't say it's a coincidence. It's just that I liked the sound of Aarav, which happens to be Akshay's son's name. I'm not trying to flatter him. I've never done that to any hero, not even to Sunny Deol with whom I shared a very warm friendship until things soured between us due to monetary considerations.

"I've never flattered Akshay for anything except to get a good shot out of him. You've to admit he has really improved as an actor. Watch him in my next two films 'Dosti' and 'Mere Jeevan Saathi'...you'll know what I mean," vouches Suneel.

Just as Lara and Priyanka were the USPs of 'Andaaz', 'Barsaat' has two hot leading ladies to warm the cockles of the camera.

Chuckles Suneel: "This is the first time Bipasha Basu and Priyanka are doing 'performing' parts. We introduced Priyanka in 'Andaaz'. After that she has been playing oomphy-seductive characters in films like 'Aitraaz' and 'Waqt'. I felt it was time for me to try to take her career forward. 'Barsaat' does the needful.

"Both girls are cast in strong dramatic roles. But," adds Suneel hastily, "it does have its share of skin show. If my heroines have good bodies, there's no harm in showing them as long as it's done aesthetically. 'Barsaat' is a full-on family film. Bipasha and Priyanka have good bodies.

No reason why they shouldn't flaunt what they have."

"Bipasha has suddenly re-worked her strategy and physique. As for Priyanka, the film gives her career yet another level."

The filmmaker says there was never any friction between the two ladies. "They always knew what they had to do and did their own thing without getting into each other's space."

Suneel denies there's a battle between Bipasha and Priyanka. "The two ladies don't fight. They meet for just one scene and what a beautiful moment it is. It's a very sweet and cute film."

Surprisingly, Suneel has three releases lined up in the next three months. "That isn't intentional. They were all made one at a time. It's just that 'Mere Jeevan Saathi' got extended beyond my control. Every film has been given my 100 percent. They've all shaped up beautifully.

"I don't think it would be too much of me in the theatres. All three films are very different from one another. You mark my word. 'Mere Jeevan Saathi' will make Karisma Kapoor a sensation. After marriage and baby, it would be a befitting homecoming in my film. As for 'Dosti', it's Akshay's best performance."

And then after a thought, he adds: "Surprisingly, women play an important part in my films, as they do in any man's life."

Suneel is gung-ho about "Barsaat".

"The story value is very high. When Priyanka heard the subject, she knew she had to do it. The music is another USP. The film has a very fresh appeal. You don't expect Bobby to be stripped of action. None of my three stars have done anything like 'Barsaat' before."

He then proclaims: "At a time when most filmmakers are aping Hollywood, I've tried to be original and Indian. I've fought the system to achieve what I have. 'Barsaat' has Indian sentiments and is aimed at an upmarket audience. This formula has worked surprisingly well for me in 'Ek Rishta-The Bond Of Love' and 'Andaaz'. My films do as well in the US, Britain, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar."

For "Barsaat", Suneel turns worldwide distributor for the first time.

"I've struggled hard to survive and swim against the tide. If I had been careless, the sharks would've had me for dinner long ago."