by Subhash K Jha

Changez Khan can wait. That's the big one on the anvil. For now, Akbar Khan whose dazzling opus Taj Mahal has been received with mixed feelings, is all set to make an emotional film about a 7-year old boy and his search for his lost father.

The "modern quickie" set in current times will be called Taxi Driver. "From the Mughal emperors I'm going straight into the word of taxis," he laughs. "It's a love story of a seven-year old child's search for his father. It's a very soft sentimental film. I want my audience to know that I'm capable of going from the epic to the intimate."

Akbar says his 4-year daughter Aaliya has inspired him to make Taxi Driver . "I'm looking for a magical child....like Ayesha Kpaoor in Black who I think has taken everyone in the cast to the laundary. He's going to be a superstar after this film."

Akbar Khan wants to cast Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen or Priyanka Chopra as the mother.

About the Pakistani leading lady Sonia Jehan in Taj Mahal , Akbar Khan says, "A friend of mine from Jeddah told me about this grand daughter of the legendary singer Noor Jehan. I was immediately hooked."

This intimate film will certainly cost far less than Taj Mahal which Akbar says, cost 75 crore rupees. Why attempt such an audacious costume drama?

"I decided on my first visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra that I'll make a film on it. The slabs of marble wove a mystery around me. Shah Jahan was the greatest lover in the world. I wanted to make a film about his timeless homage to love....And the empress' dying wish to immortalize her ...I was simply awed by that thought!"

In this era of shrunken visions and multiplex theatres why such a huge film?

"I've always dabbled with larger-than-life subjects. I directed the initial 20 episodes of The Sword Of Tipu Sultan. Then I tackled Akbar The Great . I've a deep- rooted affinity to history....I certainly believe filmmakers should never tamper with history. That's misleading the audience. Taj Mahal is authentic to history."

Akbar Khan's last feature film as a director was Haadsa in 1983.

"I remember the film's leading lady Smita Patil's father told me it was one of Smita's finest films and performances. Two years later Fatal Attraction did the same story. I was flattered. For once it seemed as though we were being copied by Hollywood."

He's very hurt by the flak Taj Mahal has got from critics."I'm taking it in my stride. When I visit threatres screening the film I get to hear another story. Seeing the audiences' response I'm sure the film will pick up by word of mouth."

Akbar admits he's utterly fascinated by K Asif's Mughal-e-Azam . "I'd hundred percent admit I'm a great admirer of Mughal-e-Azam and K. Asif. Cecil de Mille, David Lean and K Asif are my inspiration for larger-than-life films. It took me two years to research."

"Then for six months we put together the artifacts the jewellery, costumes, weaponry....The artistes then went through vigorous acting, dancing, diction classes...We held workshops with them."

He stands by his relatively modest cast. "All I can say is, if I had cast Aamir, Salman or Shah Rukh Khan as Khurram it would've been totally contrary to my vision. Zulfi Syed looks like a prince-personified. I supervised everything, right from his walk to intonation. Every cast member and crew put his or heart into Taj Mahal."

Akbar describes it as the most expensive film in the history of Indian cinema. "I'm saying this for the first time. This film has cost a little over 75 crore rupees to make."

And now he moves into two new films. "It took me more than 20 years to direct a second feature film. But my third and fourth film will follow in quick success. Taxi Driver will be followed by another historical Changez Khan. I pray that I get back at least some of my investments in Taj Mahal so I can go on making films."