With Kismat Konnection on the verge of release and his own directorial film Maan Gaye Mughal-E-Azam making news, writer-director Sanjay Chhel is a really happy man. Polite, sincere and apparently a very nice man, this man can make anyone feel comfortable. We caught up with the man for an exclusive chit-chat about his films, leading ladies, passions and more. Read on…You have delivered several hit film scripts and now you have two back to back movies as a director. So, let's start from the very beginning…How did scriptwriting happen?
I was writing plays for theatre and some short stories. My father is from theatre and my mother is a language professor. So, there was always a literary atmosphere at home. I started with short stories and plays and then did some TV scripts like Filmi Chakkar and finally films happened. It was a very logical progression.
You've worked with a lot of big directors. According to you, who has done full justice to your script?
It's a very controversial question. Actually, my answer will be very controversial. Every director I've worked with I've enjoyed. But I've enjoyed working with Aziz Mirza the most. I have done four films with him…Kismat Konnection is the fourth. He's like a mentor, a father figure to me. I've also loved working with David Dhawan.
One script that's really close to your heart…
One script I really enjoyed writing was Daud. It was really ahead of its times. It was brave of Ram Gopal Varma to make the film at that time. I also enjoyed Halo.
Okay. So, tell us something about your next film as a director – Maan Gaye Mughal-E-Azam.
It is a black comedy. A satire. On the lines of Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron. It is not like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron but the satire is like that. It has good one-liners and punch lines. It's a comedy that'll make you think. There's also a great assembly of actors – Rahul Bose, Mallika Sherawat, Paresh Rawal, Kay Kay Menon and Pawan Mallhotra are great! The story deals with a group of theatre actors who come together to do something for the nation.
Rahul Bose and Mallika Sherawat – was it your decision to cast them together?
Well, Rahul and Mallika were really not my decision. I was contacting them separately. I was contacting many actors and actresses for the film. Through some Karmic connection it happened. And now 
they're together in the film.
How was it working with them?
Superb! Mallika is a very generous person. She's very moody, but she's also very helpful. She does not throw tantrums like other actresses. She is like a buddy. She has a great sense of timing. After Juhi Chawla, I think it's her. She also has a great command over the language - Hindi. So, she improvises a lot. Rahul Bose is a very accomplished actor and he provides suggestions on the sets that are very helpful. Paresh Rawal…well he is just awesome. Kay Kay Menon will however be the surprise package in the film. This is the first time he's doing a full-fledged comedy.
It somehow sounds like a multiplex movie. So, are you looking for critical acclaim or mass appeal?
Ummmm…Mallika Sherawat and Rahul Bose (ponders for a while)…Well, see, Rahul Bose and Kay Kay Menon, you can call multiplex cinema stars. But Paresh Rawal and Mallika have HARDCORE (stresses the word) mass appeal. So, I'll be having both my laddoos in my hand!
Tell us something about the other film you'll be directing – Fantastic.
It's again a comedy – modern and contemporary with Konkona Sen Sharma. This is a multiplex film. It also has a strong message.
Konkona romancing three guys in the movie is already making news. So tell us…
I can't reveal the script. It's a feel good film.
Don't you think it's tough to visualise Konkona romancing three men? I mean, she is not exactly the sexy seductress…She's not playing a sexy woman. She's playing herself. It's a comedy. I think she has great potential. I've seen Mr and Mrs Iyer more than 20 times. She's a fantastic actor. The movie Fantastic is about her!
Hmmm…Khoobsurat and now Maan Gaye… Why such a long break from direction?
I was not getting the right producer or actor. I was also looking for the right script…
But you're the one writing the script…
Yes…(pauses) but I was doing other things, you know. And many actors were not working with me (looks a little sad but does not elaborate). I was waiting for the correct opportunity. I was writing films like Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya and Partner and all. For me, direction is not bread and butter. It's my passion. Like Khoobsurat changed Sanjay Dutt's image from serious to comedy. With every movie, I want to do something different.
You really like making comedies…
Life is full of misery. A lot of issues, a lot of problems and we do not have any answer to them. It's good to laugh them away at times. It's easy to make films on the Mumbai bomb blasts or bar girls or Dharavi. But it's very difficult to make a commercially successful comedy which also leaves a message. I want to do that!
Thanks, Sanjay. And we wish you all the best for your film!
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