The man who watched DDLJ 200 times Now directs Yash Raj Films' latest entertainer

"I watched Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge almost 200 times," claims director Sanjay Gadhvi, a self-confessed Aditya Chopra fan.

So Gadhvi, who took the plunge as director with Tere Liye after his stint as assistant to director Anant Balani, was obviously thrilled when he was signed by Chopra to direct Yash Raj Films' latest, Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai.

Gadhvi awaits audience verdict on June 7, as his entertainer takes on the might of two Bhagat Singh films. But the director tells Priyanka Bhattacharya that the film's universal appeal will give him the edge over the other two biggies:

It is an honour to have the Yash Raj banner produce your second venture? How did you manage that?

I had approached Adi [Aditya Chopra] when I was working on my first film Tere Liye. I wanted him to help my producer market the film. During these meetings, I mustered up the courage to ask him to watch my film. If he liked it, I suggested he could sign me for forthcoming ventures. That was a shot in the dark.

Four days later he called me. He said Yash Raj was looking to groom new directors to make films under their banner.

Was it as simple as that?

Adi asked me to keep a few script ideas ready. When we met I narrated 30-odd script ideas; he narrated 20-odd ideas. None clicked.

It was very clear that we could only work on something that excited both of us. Finally we hit on that something with the script of Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai.

The day Adi signed me --- August 10, 2001 --- is unforgettable. I cried all the way home. It must have looked really funny. A grown man crying his guts out.

Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai is an adaptation of the Julia Roberts Hollywood hit My Best Friend's Wedding, isn't it?

Everyone has been asking me that question. MYKSH is only 0.1 per cent inspired by My Best Friend's Wedding. The only similarity is that Uday's character [Sanjay] goes to wreck his best friend Anjali's [Sanjana] wedding.

There are only seven or eight original plots in the world. Every film is just a different interpretation of these basic stories. It is just like music --- you have just eight notes, but you can compose so many tunes.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge also had a young man going to break up someone's wedding. Does this mean that My Best Friend's Wedding was copied from DDLJ? Each film is different.

How did you decide upon Uday and Jimmy for the film?

After we had decided on the script, Adi suggested Uday. I auditioned him and found him perfect for Sanju's role. He fit the bill completely. And Jimmy was perfect as Rohit, Anjali's fiancι. Basically, I wanted actors who could give me dates in advance without hassles; actors whose enthusiasm level matched my own.

What made you choose Sanjana for Anjali's role?

We did audition a few girls for Anjali's role. Yash Chopra's heroines have a certain standard of beauty, which had to be maintained along with talent.

Sanjana first met Yashji. I auditioned her later. One thing that strikes you is how fresh and untouched she looks... untouched by the problems of life, the bad things. Plus she is really talented.

Tere Liye and now Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai had you working with newcomers. Was it difficult directing them?

Newcomers are in fact very professional and dedicated --- it is a pleasure directing them. I made Jimmy work continuously from 9 am am to 3 am the next morning. He did it. That is the level of dedication I am talking about.

Uday is very down to earth. In fact we had this joke on the set. We would tell him not to put his hands behind his back because it made him look like a producer. And he would immediately straighten up.

I would be lying if I said I only wanted to work with newcomers. But no one knows me. Why would an established star want to work with me? For that I have to first prove my mettle and rise to a certain level.

I would love to work with Amitabh Bachhan, Dilip Kumar, Naseeruddin Shah. But they would never work with me until I prove myself.

What do you think is the highlight of Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai?

Its freshness. It is a very feel good film, a family entertainer. We also have Bipasha Basu in a guest appearance. People will love her in her new comic avatar.

We do have a lot of tricks up our sleeves. The scene before the interval is very interesting and will keep the audiences on the edge of their seats.

Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai will release on the same day as the two big Bhagat Singh films. Will this hamper its box-office prospects?

Good films always work. There is enough place for everyone here. Gadar and Lagaan released on the same day. They both fared very well.

What are your future projects?

I am heading off for a holiday with my wife. After the film's release, I will take a day or two to deal with either its success or failure. After that I need to take some time off on my own to rejuvenate.

I have not begun developing any film ideas yet, but my next film will not feature a big cast. MYKSH has an entire family because it is about a wedding.

My next film will definitely have fewer people.