I am happy with the appreciation and proud of the product. Karan Malhotra did a very good job. Ditto for Akshay Kumar and Jackie Shroff. But as far as collections go, I certainly expected it to do much better.
Why do you think the collections didn't live up to your expectations?
Brothers was a very emotional and intense film. A large part of our audience still wants a lighter handle when it comes to films.
So, are you going with Malhotra on Shuddhi?
Definitely.
This means that Shuddhi is happening. Again there were rumours that...
(Cuts in) I am fed up of rumours on Shuddhi. Malhotra is on a holiday for a week or two. He will return and fix up the shooting dates.
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (ADHM) is buzzing....
Oh yeah, I know. And I am very happy to embark on a new journey. I will be working with Aishwarya Rai, Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma first time as a director.
Rumour has it that ADHM is your take on Doosra Aadmi...
Not at all. ADHM has nothing to do with Doosra Aadmi.
How did you collaborate with Shah Rukh Khan again?
Shah Rukh has always been family to me, and I have said this so often. Red Chillies and Dharma were emotionally integrated on Student Of The Year. Working with Shah Rukh has always been a personal experience to me than a professional one. So when Gauri came to me and said that Shah Rukh is the best to play a certain role in her film, I went across to him. He loved the script and came on board.Then, Gauri, Shah Rukh and I decided to produce the film jointly.
SRK and you have planned to do 3 films...
Hopefully, we'll have 10 more. Why only 3?
People said that you and SRK will never work again...
If I start believing people, I will land under an MRI.
What is Shah Rukh's role in the film?
That's for Gauri to talk. I am just a proud producer in the project. When you see the film, you will realise why he and Alia (Bhatt) were cast in it.
You're the face in your tie-up with Fox Star Studios to save their boat which has been rocked...
Aisa kuch nahi hai,I am not out there to revive Fox Star Studios. I have just collaborated with them for 8-9 films. Every studio and production house goes through ups and downs.
You have become pally with Salman again. He quit Shuddhi...
Salman and I have a great personal bond. Films come and go, but relationships go on forever.
Your equation with Sanjay Leela Bhansali is still a mystery...
I am fine with Bhansali. We met up at a party lately and had a super chat. I can't wait for his next film Bajirao Mastani to hit the theatres. It looks spectacular.
Are you okay with Anurag Kashyap, his Bombay Velvet starring you bombed...
The failure of a film, if you say Bombay Velvet in this case, is not going to affect my friendship with him.