Did you contribute to the making of Hello apart from writing the inspiring book behind it?
I’ve written the script of the film and was actively involved in most decision-making that went on during the making of Hello. Atul Agnihotri kept me on the panel and often consulted me on the set designs, costumes and appearances of the characters.

How different an experience was it to write a film script?
It was fairly as challenging as writing a book. Since this is an adaptation of my story it was fairly easy to turn into a script. I just had to make certain improvisations.

Directors and big stars are known to have their own say and not let others take a fore say in their projects. Did you have any sort of challenges?
No. Atul is making his directorial debut with this film and he was very rational in his approach. He identified this film as an inspiration from my book One Night @ Call Center and since the original story was mine, he was of the opinion that my inputs and feedback into the film would be as important as his or anybody else involved with the film.

Could you point out one instance when your opinion helped the director and actors in making an important decision with regards to the film?
The best example I can cite is the inclusion of Salman Khan into the film. At the onset of this project, Atul told me Salman had to be a part of this film and in the original story the character, which Salman plays in the film, is that of Chetan Bhagat. That is the guy who listens to the story and writes the book. Obviously a superstar like Salman would need a character that gravitates with his image. So, I decided to give Salman scenes that would live up to his stardom. In the book Salman’s character has a scene in a train, that same scene in the film is in a helicopter.

I have also contributed to the promotional strategy of the film. I can say that I had to make some critical decisions in the making of Hello.

How was the experience of working with the superstar Salman Khan?
I have bunked college classes to watch Salman’s movies. To watch a star’s enthusiasm for the film was a great experience. Salman was expressing his concerns and taking a keen interest even in the promotions of the film. He has already shot a promo video for the film and on his request we have shot a second promo video, which recently went on air on September 28. That’s something, since Salman has never shot promotional videos for any of his films.

Did you start off writing One Night @ Call Center with the intentions of someday inspiring a film?
My original idea was to write a story about people at call centers. My original writing style is so filmy that most developments in the original story seemed to be tailor made for a film adaptation. I wouldn’t say I wrote it so that I could inspire a film but I am glad that it has happened. My intentions are to spread this special story to as many people as I can and a film will help me do that.

You must be counting on your millions of readers to go watch this film?
It’s actually a little more than that. I know I am popular with my readers and a lot of them carry my book everywhere they go. I know that my readers will be my salesmen. They will convince their friends and relatives, who have not read my book, to go and watch the film.

A lot of people do not like reading books and those people have heard that there is a great book by Chetan Bhagat will surely go and see the film. But in spite of being curious they haven’t read it. This film will give them a chance to feel that special story.

What makes One Night @ Call Center so special to you?
There is a divine connection with this book. My first book Five Point Someone turned out to be a bestseller when people were not ready to even publish it. That told me that I had some sort of divine power looking after me and it inspired me to write a story that centers around God. Thus, One Night @ Call Center was based on a phone call from God. And look at where it has reached today. The book was released in 2005 and in 2008 we have a film on it.

Your film will have competition from Kidnap and Drona that release before it and Karzzzz, that releases a week after. Do you think divine intervention will help Hello?
I hope so. All fingers crossed, I think these releases should not affect Hello so much as we have a completely different target audience. I do believe that a good film always gets its due and after watching it myself and after getting feedbacks from the film’s trial run I am confident the audiences will appreciate the hard work. In fact, in Salman’s opinion and mine Hello looks fantastic.

So how does the investment banker turned best-selling author feel in the film world?
I have learnt a very important fact, ‘picture ki wajah se stress bhi ho sakta hai’. The irony is that till I was a viewer, every Friday was relaxation day, but now that I am releasing my own film, every Friday has become Judgment day.