'Big stars are as hungry for work'

You return with three films --- 8X10 Tasveer, Yeh Hausla and Aashayein. Which is your favourite?
"The best thing happening for me is that all these three films are from different genres and so I hope that all of them do well. They all excite me."

These three are completely different genresand then you're working with big stars like Akshay Kumar and John Abraham for the first time. Faced any starry tantrums?
"I'm in a completely new space now. You're bang on when you say that these represent many 'firsts' in my career. Working with Akshay in 8X10 was great.The film revolves around a murder and a man who can look into the past through an 8X10 photo. Again, John's film Aashayein tells the story of a gambler. It has a very touching script. Both these films needed big stars and I thoroughly loved my interaction with them. They are like any other actors, hungry for good work and prepared to deliver the best. When you are clear about the things you want from your star, things become very easy. When rules are set, there's a touch of professionalism among everyone and they are thorough professionals who do not bring in any baggage with them."

There were reports that Akshay and you did not get on well on the sets of 8X10. Any truth to this?
"I share a very special relationship with Akshay and yet here were these strange reports which hadn't the slightest iota of truth to them. Akshay is taking a keen interest even in the promotion and publicity of his film. If our relationship had gone sour, would he be so involved?"

How important is it to score a hit after a disaster like Bombay to Bangkok?
"A filmmaker has no choice but to let the audience decide. I'm very confident about my forthcoming films. and I hope they're liked. All I'm trying to say through my work in different genres is that don't slot me as a director who does a certain type of cinema. Check the material out.