You have given clarifications, but could you elaborate on what actually happened?
I thought it was necessary to explain my position and put the record straight so that my friends in the industry are forewarned. Hrithik Roshan is the brand ambassador for Sony Ericsson. In one of the ads, that I had happened to see on TV, I had liked the music and when I was working on the music of Krazzy 4, I decided to use a segment of the composition. And in this regard, I requested Sony Ericsson to let me use it. I got the permission with a letter dated December 13, 2007. Subsequently, I recorded with the required modification retaining only four bars of `The Thump’ track.

Was the letter authentic?
I thought it was. But on March 24, 2008, I got a notice from Ram Sampath’s lawyers alleging me of violation of his work. On contacting Sony Ericsson, I was told that they didn’t have the rights and had issued the letter by mistake. The next thing I learnt was Sampath had filed a suit in Bombay High Court with allegations of infringing his copyright of the music. I thought it would have made things simpler if he would have talked to me first. But the way things were going it was evident that it was what he had planned from the beginning. The music of Krazzy 4 was released in February 2008, why then did Sampath file a suit just before the release of the film? But I was not able to do anything though I had enough evidence, as the film was up for release within a few days. So I had to bend down to the pressure.

Do you mean to say that paying him the money solved the problem?
Looking at the time constraints it seemed the logical thing to do at that time. I had a responsibility towards the audience, exhibitors and distributors. Since the promos were already playing on TV, I thought it was wrong to release the film without the songs that had already become popular.

Coming to Krazzy 4, why did you hand over the mantle to a newcomer?
I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to direct films when I wanted to. I have about 14-15 directorials to my credit. I see many youngsters with a vision and talent in them. I want them to prove their worth like I did. Today I am in a position to help them out. In a way I am doing this for the industry that has given me so much.
Coming to Krazzy 4, after working really hard and putting in most of my creative energy for years on Krrish, I was very tired and wanted a break before starting my next film. I generally start a project after a gap of two years. I did not want to waste that much time and since I was working on two scripts simultaneously, I decided to have Jaideep direct it. I had promised him a break during the filming of Krrish where he was the assistant director. I liked the script that he had penned along with Ashwini Dhir of Office Office fame and now the director of One Two Three.

You also have Anurag Basu directing for your banner?
I never knew a person called Anurag Basu or a film titled Gangster till I saw it getting several nominations at various award functions. After looking at his other works, I decided to hand over my next project titled Kites to him.

Was that the only reason for signing him?
Actually, he wanted to work with Hrithik and my son too was keen to work with him. So I decided to produce a film for both of them. The film also stars Kangana Ranaut and a Latin American girl Barbara Mori.

What is Kites all about?
It is a romantic-thriller complete with a triangle. The dialogues are in Hindi, English and Spanish as the heroine is from Spain.

You turned filmmaker after being successful as a actor? Do you foresee the same for your son?
Definitely because when Hrithik is around on the sets, he takes away half my burden. The promotional song featuring Hrithik in Krazzy 4 has been executed by him but under the supervision of Ganesh Acharya. With my experience I know that it is difficult to sail in three boats and I don’t want Hrithik to be doing that. I also believe that when an actor is doing pretty well in his career as an actor, he should not change tracks. He has to look fresh and tension-free on screen. He can change tracks later in life.

As filmmaker, what is it that you believe in?
I stand by the fact that anything that you show on screen should be different in terms of story telling, projection and execution. There should be a novelty in everything you do, every time. I see to it that I don’t fall into the trap of making something that has already been explored. That is why when the idea of making the sequel of Krrish came about, I was very adamant that it had to be different from what people had already seen.