I have always wanted to make mad films with a lot of over-the-top moments and I’m finally getting to do that now. I know there are others who make normal sane movies, but I could never make them. I love commercial cinema, even though I enjoy watching serious films too.
Earlier, I would write scripts just for Shah Rukh. As I’m not a natural script writer, I was quite happy, making films out of scripts that fell on my lap. But I have to be able to connect to it on some level.
Do you get annoyed with questions on your successful career ‘despite being a woman’?
I feel the gender bias only when my films hit the screens. It comes from certain sections of the media, critics and social websites which express outrage over a woman making a movie with raunchy numbers and how I could have allowed certain dialogues. No one questions my ability on the sets though. I have all the answers to their questions, so they’d dare not mess with me.
As someone who now focuses more on direction, do you miss dancing? When you see a song on TV, do you feel you could have choreographed it better?
There are many songs I see that I feel I could have done better. But as a choreographer, I don’t get excited enough to jump out of bed and start teaching the actors. Now, after a year, I’ve decided to choreograph a song for Dilwale . That’s because it’s for Shah Rukh, and I would never say no to him. It’s a love song that will be shot in exotic locales. I’m excited about it.
You’ve tasted commercial success, but isn’t critical appreciation important too?
I would love a combination of both. Commercial success comes first and only then would I want to please the critics. I would hate it if only five people liked my film and the theatres remained empty.
You’re called ‘The Boss’ at home and ‘Hitler’ on the sets…
I’m no Hitler. I’m more like a likeable dictator. That’s because filmmaking is not a democratic process. The three hundred who form my crew do not know what I want to make. I need to have a certain control for them to do what I expect of them, or the ship will sink.
I’m certainly no boss at home. My husband is the real boss. I may look like the one organising everything, but it’s all a result of coming to a consensus, especially when it’s about our kids.
How hard is it for a mother like you to juggle home and work?
It was easier when the kids were younger. But with age, they start asking questions. I miss them, and when I’m gone for long, they miss me too. But directing is something I must continue to do because it’s important for me as an individual.
Do you make time to interact with fans?
I have 25 lakh followers on Twitter, of which I’m sure around five lakh are trolls. It’s irritating because there are random judgements on my hairstyle, life, movies and what I wear. I feel there should be some disconnect. For me, social media is not PR machinery to rain praises about a film. I can’t handle so much.
What’s next?
I am directing a love story — a smaller film (small in my sense) — and Red Chillies will be producing it.
(By special arrangement with The Hindu Cinema Plus )