I grew up seeing Utpal Dutt’s Bengali play—Aajker Shahjahan and I’ve loved it since my school days. I was inspired by the storyline of the play, which revolves around a veteran Shakespearean actor—Harish Mishra played by Amitabh Bachchan, who is wooed by a movie director (Arjun Rampal) to act in his first film. The film explores Shakespeare’s influence on the actor’s life.

Is it a tribute to Utpal Dutt? Do you think he has got his dues?

He was one of the finest actors Indian cinema had. Unfortunately as a playwright, his identity did not go beyond West Bengal. He has done a lot of Shakespearean plays. I wanted the nation to realise his talent as a playwright. Hence I made this film. It is also sheer co-incidence that Amitabh Bachchan’s first movie had Utpal Dutt in it.

Is the movie’s title, The Last Lear, inspired by the great play?

The name is not linked to the play but Bachchan’s ironic old man image of the character.

When a great script and storyline could make castmovie a blockbuster, why take big stars like Bachchan and Preity Zinta?

I chose Bachchan as his personality reflects the character and fits the role perfectly. I don’t make movies eyeing box-office success.

This is your first movie with Bachchan. How was the experience?

His understanding of the entire environment was extremely fascinating and the moment he entered the sets, he made everyone very comfortable, adjusting beautifully with the rest of the crew.

Why did the movie take this long to release considering it was made last year?

My producers planned it this way. The movie did the rounds of the festivals. Now that my job is over, I am looking at the project objectively. If I had seen it when it was made, then I would have looked at the project with a critical eye. So in a way, it is good that I am distant from the movie at this moment.

What challenges did you face while adapting a play into a film?

I didn’t face any difficulties since I have made movies based on novels.

Are you apprehensive about the recent controversies around the release of movies in multiplexes in Mumbai?

It is a very impulsive reaction, and I wouldn’t wish movies to get undue publicity from any kind of cause or issue and vice versa.

Tell us about your next project Sunglasses starring Jaya Bachchan.