Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film is one the most awaited films of the year. Marking the debut of two starlet kids – Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor, Saawariya is a intense love story. Here’s a tea time chat with the director and Subhash K Jha.

You went through some legal trauma in 2006 when a furniture dealer accused you of not paying her dues?
It’s always been important for me to fight for the truth. If a media crazy person attacks me I’ll fight back even more strongly.
No matter what film I’ve made so far, I’ve never got involved in any monetary transactions. For Black, it was Applause Entertainment who were my financial partners while I handled the creativity.

Any monetary grievance should have been addressed to Applause. So why were you hounded?
Because the lady in question needed access to the media and what better medium of media recognition than a well-known director? So far I’ve kept mum and trusted in our judicial system. In fact I want to thank this lady for making me stronger.

How do you feel about 2006?
Last year started for me with all the awards for Black. All the hard work came to fruition. Awards are important because they endorse your hard work. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re better than the other nominations. But they make me feel very good. And three of my films Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas and Black won lots of awards.. Then I went through another level of excitement while recording the songs of Sawariya.

You think Sawariya too will make a grand sweep at the awards?
(Laughs) I would love it if it if does. But the intention is never to make films for awards. You make the film you want to.

I’ve had a glimpse at Saawariya. It looks completely different from your other films.
I think it takes me quite a long time to decide the atmosphere and khushboo of a film. That process takes me more than a year. And I need to take a different path every day. The intention isn’t to make money, but to do what comes naturally to me.

What motivated Sawariya?
The concept is unlike anything I’ve done so far. I wanted to move from the deep intensity of Black to the absolute joie de vivre of Sawariya. After Black I wanted to see a flower bloom and the sun shine. Of course it’s an intense love story. But the sparkle of youthful love is so invigorating. That’s what I wanted to experience.
As I make Sawariya I feel very alive. I don’t want to make a ‘popcorn khao, ghar jao’ film. With Sawariya I feel all my senses tingling again.

But the presence of two high-profile star children could colour your film’s profile during marketing.
If I’m making a film about young love I can’t cast veterans. It had to be newcomers. And why not Ranbir and Sonam? They’re astonishing discoveries. I didn’t make Sawariya to launch Ranbir and Sonam. But yes, it does give them a chance to prove their worth. Their freshness adds a lot to the love story. They do come from important film families.But let me add, I didn’t cast Ranbir and Sonam because of their pedigree. Will people come to see Sawariya because of where the newcomers come from? What’s the point of a painting hung in a gallery that no one stands to see? On one end Ranbir and Sonam and on the other end Begum Para and Zohra Sehgal. And don’t forget Salman and Rani who form the mid-generation in Sawariya. I feel I’m moving through three different time zones through them. And they all have the same sparkle in the eye. You know, Begum Para has returned after 50 years. I’ve learnt so much about the spirit of living from the 80-plus Begum Para and the 90-plus Zohra Sehgal. There’s so much activity and dialogue on the sets. And then Rani and Salman join in to electrify and energize the sets. They’re constantly giving superb tips to Ranbir and Sonam. You know, some experiences can’t be put into words. This is one of them.

How much have Salman and Rani evolved since Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Black, respectively?
Salman was always evolved. Some of his inputs are mind-boggling. He understands the medium because of his father (Salim Khan) and through his interaction with various directors over the years. We worked beautifully together for 20 days in Sawariya.

And Rani?
She’s the queen. She has that arrogance of a star and an actor who knows all the workings of her craft.

As a young love film is Sawariya like Raj Kapoor’s Bobby?
Well, Bobby launched Ranbir’s father as a hero. So I’d love to draw a parallel. But there’s none. However I do admire every film of Rajsaab. I’ve given Ranbir and Sonam the benefit of all my past experiences. I’ve moulded them like clay. But I can’t steal the spontaneity by making a Bobby or trying to make Ranbir into a Rishi Kapoor.”