by Subhash K Jha

No Entry is one of the biggest hits of 2005. And it disproves the myth that screenwriters do not make capable directors.

Currently, Anees is one of the most sought -after directors in Mumbai. He has already given the nod to the Hindi version of the much-acclaimed Tamil Film Autograph which Raj Kumar Santoshi will present, and for which he'll work with Akshaye Khanna again after Deewangee.

But there's more. "I've just signed up with Feroz Nadiadwala for a comedy called Welcome.... so after No Entry it's Welcome, ha ha," the writer-director can afford to laugh all the way to the bank, specially since Welcome will star Nadiadwala's blue-eyed boy Akshay Kumar with whom the producer is currently putting finishing touches to yet another comedy Deewane Huey Pagal.

Elaborates Anees, "Like No Entry, Welcome will have three heroes. Besides Akshay Kumar I want my favourite Ajay Devgan to play another lead in Welcome. For the most senior lead I'm keen to have Mr Bachchan. Like every director it's been my life-long ambition to work with him. I've written the role with Amitji in mind."

Welcome will start shooting mid-2006. But before that Anees will complete Autograph at a stretch.

"Akshaye Khanna was very keen to work with me again. He has given me dates at a stretch. And I intend to finish the film in two months. We still need to finalize three girls for Autograph. I've done several Tamil-Telugu remakes in the past. The core and essence of the original will remain in Autograph But I'll have to do a lot of re-writing in Hindi. However Welcome is my original script."

Anees is all praise for his No Entry producer Boney.

"It's said, achche logon ke saath achcha hota hai. Boneyji has suffered a lot. And if I've been intrumental in stemming his financial losses then I'm happy about it.I'm definitely making another film for Boneyji with Anil in the lead. Both Boneyji and Anil Kapoor have been very supportive."

So is Anees making a sequel to No Entry?

"That's what's been reported in the press. But I'm afraid it isn't yet decided. Boneyji is keen. But I've left it open. I've told him if in two months I can come up with script for a sequel that satisfies me, then we're on. Otherwise we'll scrap the idea. I've the faith now to implement my ideas honestly. If I do make the sequel to No Entry, it will have the same cast and mood..."

"See, when I decided to make a marital comedy I was sure it wouldn't be vulgar. I wanted to make a comedy that I could watch with my entire family without flinching. I think that's the recipe for the success of No Entry. I remember I was shooting a song with Bipasha and Boneyji urged me to make it sexier. I stood my ground. We disagreed then. But now I think Boneyji agrees with my vision of what a successful comedy should be."

There's also talk of Anees doing a sequel to Mr India for Boney Kapoor.

"Let me first see if I can devise a sequel to my own film (No Entry). Then we'll see about Mr India. I'm glad to have broken the myth that writers cannot be successful directors. I've worked with sixteen writers and directors including the great Mr Raj Kapoor, before turning to direction. I'd like to think I know what I'm doing."