Why has it taken a brave man like you so much time to produce a film again?

Frankly, it was because of the way my last two films "Talash" and "Mumbai se Aaya Mera Dost" fared badly at the box-office. I had to face heavy losses. Anyone else would have packed up and given up but I decided to stand by and watch the steps and strides the industry was taking. I was also busy studying the various problems the industry was facing and the new challenges that were coming in. I was not busy as a producer but I was trying to find out ways to solve the industry's problems, an industry on which so many hundreds of people depend on for their bread and butter.

With your clout and position in the industry you could have come back with a big film with a big star cast, then why this film "Khushboo" with new comers?

I had to make a film that was different, a film that could be made in other ways than they were being made to the detriment of the industry. I knew the star system was dominating the industry like never before and was leading so many of my colleagues to close down shops. I decided to take the lead and took a decision against all odds to make a film with newcomers. I knew I was taking a risk but what is life without taking risks? I have made a film in which the lead players are two newcomers, a girl called Avantika and a new boy called Rishi Rehan and believe me they are very good. I have strong belief in the film I have made more than the stars I have or don't have. Everything else about my film is big.

I have story that is very different from the hundreds of films being made these days. I have worked very hard with my writers to have pucca script because I believe the script is the real star of any film. And besides I have some very strong elements of wholesome entertainment in my film. I have lyrics written by Javed Akhtar and music by Adnan Sami and Saroj Khan like always is my choreographer. I have spared no efforts to make small film which and will make big impact. I have made a film which can show both the industry and audience a new way of finding entertainment in films.

But the industry and the distributors have this very strong feeling that a film with newcomers never works.

That is an absolutely false belief. I can give you any number of examples of films made with newcomers proving to be very big hits. It is not the newcomers who are to be blamed. It is the fault of the kind of films made with newcomers and the way their films are made, treated and promoted. I am going all out to make my film as big as any other big film with big stars. My promos are already being talked about and so is my music. You will see the way I promote my newcomers. By the time my film "Khushboo" is released everyone will be talking about Avaantika and Rishi more than any one else. I have taken this film as a big challenge, as an experienced producer. I have taken the risk myself because I want others to follow. We have neglected newcomers for too long due to some excuse or the other. I strongly believe that it is high time we give as many newcomers the opportunities they deserve. This industry cannot survive with just six or seven half male big stars and an equal number of female stars.

To think of it, you have given breaks to newcomers in the past and some of them have made it as big stars.

Yes, I cast Govinda when he was still struggling to make it. I gave him three big breaks in "Ilzaam" "Shola aur Shabnam" and "Aankhen" which made him a superstar. I gave Chunkey Panday his first his first break in "Aag Hi Aag" I gave Suniel Shetty his first break in "Balwan". I gave Mahisha Koirala her second break after "Saudagar" when no one was it big casting her.I gave Neelam a chance to make it big as a heroine. I gave Bharti a chance and she almost reached a stage when she was being tipped as the next number one and besides there were so many other girls introduced who couldn't make it in Hindi films but made it very big in the south. I believed in them. I also realized that the industry had the need to make films with newcomers and make them with portfolios waiting for their big chance? They could be as good as or even better than some of the ruling stars. How can we know anything about their talent without trying their best to catch the eyes of producers who don't even have the time to look at their photographs. I hope my film succeeds more because it can show the ay to others than for myself, believe me. It is very heart-warming to know that a big filmmaker like Mr. Bobby makes films only with newcomers; new directors and new technicians.I think it is a very good example to be followed by as many producers as possible. I want be like Laloo Prasad Yadav our Railway Minister who everyone thought was no good but who presented one of the best railway budgets in Independent India. He has tried out new ideas which I am sure will succeed. I also want to try out new ideas. How long can this industry survive with the same old ideas? There is a great change in technology, no doubt but isn't it creative talent that really matters?

But does it mean that you will not make films with the big stars?

No, no. I have to and I will have to make films with the stars. How will I make films with newcomers if I don't make films with stars which will bring in the money? Paise ke bina kuch bhi nahin ho sakta hai. I have plans to make at least five or six big films with solo stars and even multistarrers in the near future. I am busy working out plans to make them and I know I will not have to wait long to start them. I have very good relation with the biggest stars. Some of them are waiting for me to make film with them. You know, after "Tlaash" did not do well and then "Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost" didn't do well, stars like Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan never talked about the money I owed them. They even went to the extent of offering me financial help which I naturally didn't take but it was their greatness and their feeling towards me that was important. I can never forget the gesture of Akshay, Kareena and The Bachchans. All the stars I have worked with during the last two decades know what kind of a producer I am and I know they will stand by me whenever need them.

But almost all the stars have been literally taken away and bought by the corporate companies who are willing to pay them in crores even before they can think of making their film. What do you think about the corporates?

I don't know if you or any one in the industry knows that it was because of the efforts made by my dear friend Sonu (Shatrughan Sinha) and me that the industry got recognition as an industry. It was only after this recognition of the industry that the banks first came in to help the industry and then came these corporate companies. I am not going to say that the coming of the corporate is killing the industry. They have the money power and they can do all that they want to. But as a well wisher I hope they do their homework before jumping on to the bandwagon. I am sorry to see that most of them are just throwing in their money without seriously thinking of the consequences. They can work wonders if they start learning to work in a systematic way and realize that it is not only money that can make films. They have bought all the stars at any price but what will they do with the stars? Its a billion rupee question. They have finished some of the best independent production banners which is very sad. I hope they are more reasonable in their ways of working and leave enough space for the pioneers and leaders of the industry what it is today.

What do you think can be the ideal way of solving the problems of the industry which always reeling under some crisis or the other?

There are many ways but the most important things that will make a difference in filmmaking will be the choosing of the right subject, the attitude of the exhibitor and distributors and above all the acceptance of the films made by the people. The filmmakers must stop thinking only about them and change their ways of working according to the changing times. They should consider the industry as their mother. Isn't the industry their mother who has given them all that they have? How can they forget what the industry has done for them and given them the kind of success they would not find anywhere in the world. And above all the leaders and others in this industry must realize the importance of transparency in all dealings, honesty and sincerity and work together or we can wreck this industry by going our own ways.

What do you think of the growing multiplex schemes?

It is something that had to come with the change in the tastes of the people. But the way these multiplexes are functioning is certainly not the way they should. Imaging one new film being run in twenty four shows in one suburb. Imagine a new film with newcomers being given an 8 a.m. slot and a family film being given the 10.30 pm slot. How do they expect people to rush to these multiplexes at all these odd times? Isn't that the reason we hear about two or three or ten people watching a big film like "Jodhaa Akbar".

These multiplexes if they continue the way they are will certainly murder some of the best films. They are being transformed into more of recreation centers for promoting good cinema for which they are primarily built.

What about other problems like piracy and the new technologies which are eating into the business of films?

We have been fighting a very tough battle against the pirates but we need support of the government in fighting this dragon which is eating away into the vitals of the industry. We too are citizens of this great country. We too need the protection and support of the govt. for which we have always worked as one body, in unity for the good of all Indians.

But I am sorry to say that we are not getting the kind of genius support that we need and if all these enemies of the industry are allowed to prey on it, it will soon end up in being a carcass and who would like to see this beautiful industry in that miserable state?

How do you as a prominent leader see the future of the industry?

The industry is very great survivor. It has overcome all the major forms of threats that have come in its way. It has always found ways of standing up again and fighting its way back. I know there will be problems cropping up all the time but as long as we stand united not just in words but in action, nothing or no one can stop this industry from reaching its goals and growing into one of the best industries in the world.

I hope to see the dawn of that new face of the industry. Woh subah kabhi to aayegi?