Now that Kurbaan is nearing release, are you nervous?
Frankly I’m numb! With the post-production going on, there is so much happening that there is no time to think.

How easy or difficult was it to switch from writing to direction?
I have been directing ad films for the last 12 years, so direction is nothing new for me. Only the canvas is bigger when making a film. And even as a writer, I am not the sort, who likes to write in isolation. I like a bit of buzz around me, so it’s not that I was suddenly thrown among people when I took to direction.

With everyone making comedies, how did the idea to make a film on terrorism germinate?
Karan narrated the story to me one night. It had everything – it was a thriller, had a romantic angle and made a political comment. It was great. I don’t know why people are so desperate to make comedies. Serious is good too.

Will the story of Kurbaan enlighten the audience in any way?
The story does not take any sides, neither is any conclusion there to a matter as serious as terrorism. The film is about the manner in which the white world treats terrorism and the tussle between the conservative and the moderate Muslims. It will provoke a debate.

How did you convince Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan to do this unconventional film?
They responded very well to the script. I did not have to convince them.

Did you have to prepare them in any way for the roles ?
I don’t think brilliant performers like Saif and Kareena need any kind of preparation by the director. Once they know their parts, they begin working mentally, picking up cues by observing people, reading about the characters they are portraying, and from what they generally hear. As actors they are thinking all the time.

Is it true that their chemistry on-screen is sizzling, especially in the intimate scenes, because they are a real-life couple?
Chemistry between two actors comes from the story, the characters they are playing and how good they are as performers. In Kareena’s and Saif’s case, I won’t deny that their personal equation has made their scenes extraordinary.

How did you think of casting Vivek Oberoi?
I have been Vivek’s fan ever since I saw him in Company. In Kurbaan, he has surpassed my expectations.

The buzz is that the film is similar to New York.
That’s not true. The reason why people are assuming that is because in the last few years, only five or six films have been made on terrorism. And when few films are made on a particular genre there are bound to be comparisons. Anyway, New York was set in 9/11, while Kurbaan, which is a romantic thriller, is not.

How did you find Karan Johar as a producer?
The best! When people ask me if he interfered during the shooting of the film, I tell them he came on the sets only twice.