Wasn’t it an overwhelming experience to have Hollywood stars in your first film as director?
It is a great feeling. It is like a dream come true for me. We shot at the Hollywood’s Universal Studio, Paramount Studios, Kodak Studio and in Los Angeles, Venice and Mumbai, and my film features Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh, and Denise Richards, which is the USP of the film. I see no reason why anyone should not buy a ticket to watch this film.

How difficult was it to convince these Hollywood stars to do a Bollywood film?
Though they were my first choices it was not a difficult task. In order to pursue them I stayed in Los Angeles for a year, meeting them and negotiating with them. Once they gave their okay, things fell into place and we began shooting immediately.

What do you have to say about our very own Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor?
Every actor carries a baggage of superstardom. But not Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor. There is no one better than these two when it comes to discipline and hard work. There were times when they would report on the sets at 5 am with a smile on their faces. They never made me feel like a new director and were always very supportive and helpful. That is why I call myself destiny’s child.

What are their roles in the film?
Akshay plays a stuntman and he has always believed in doing his own stunts. What I have noticed about him is that he is almost like Jackie Chan. Kareena is a part-time supermodel who wants to become a surgeon. So to fund her studies, she is doing two or more jobs. That is the way they are in Los Angeles.

Did you always want to wield the megaphone?
Yes, I was always passionate about it.

Tell us about your film background?
It is not a known fact but I belong to the film background as my father was lyricist Noor Dewasi. I have been watching the likes of Raj Kapoor, Raj Khosla, Mahesh Bhatt to garner enough interest in filmmaking. I have assisted Mahesh Bhatt and David Dhawan in films like Dastak, Kartoos, Zakham and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi. It was during Mujhse … that Sajid Nadiadwala noticed me and we struck an instant rapport and he had promised me my first directorial debut. As a producer, he has given me a complete free hand. I was in complete sync with him and had his complete support all throughout the making of the film. He is very creatively inclined.

What memories do you carry back home?
There are several. However, I shall never forget the first day we were to shoot with Sylvester Stallone at the Kodak Theatre. The crew comprised about 300 people while we had a crowd of 5,000 people as extras in the auditorium. It was very difficult to handle the crowd, which was going berserk by just the mention of the superstar. There was noise, chaos and madness all over. But the minute he entered the hall, there was pin-drop silence. That is the awe and aura that he holds.

What is Kambakkht Ishq all about?
It doesn’t cater to just one genre. It has comedy, emotion and action. You name it and it is there for you. I would say that rather than a film Kambakkht Ishq is an event that has all the elements for enjoyment. I would also say that while the process before the film was difficult, shooting for the same was very easy.

Are you nervous about the box-office prospects now that the film has released?
More than nervous, I am overwhelmed that my first film was the talk of the town since it took off. We dreamt big and it took off in a bigger way. Since the beginning we aimed high and now the film is releasing worldwide on July 3.