‘I Did Not Want Macho Men in my Film’

Sehgal,while growing up with her brother,had always dreamt of making it in the industry. As fate would have it,her brother started directing films and Sehgal edited his films — Khamoshi (1996),Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999),Devdas (2002) and Black (2005). The work on Shirin Farhad started 10 years ago,when Sehgal approached Boman Irani with the script. Things did not materialise,and she made some changes in the script. “I changed the Parsi background to Punjabi,and the film title to Hadippa and started working around it,” she says. She even approached Adnan Sami to play the lead in the Punjabi version. “Matters fell through once again. Meanwhile,Sanjay started working on another script for me to direct,” she informs.

Eventually,when that too did not work out,Bhansali and Sehgal went back to Shirin Farhad. “From the beginning,my heart,mind and soul was in this film and I decided that this is what I really want to do,” recalls Sehgal.

Once the script was complete,they approached Irani again and on Bhansali’s suggestion decided to cast Farah Khan. “Farah saw the film recently and told me that ‘I don’t have to leave town now’. I think that was one of the best compliments ever,” says the director.

Unlike most debutante filmmakers in Bollywood,who rely on stars to get their career started in Bollywood,Sehgal’s decision to make a movie with senior actors,comes as a pleasant surprise. “I did not want size zeros and macho men in my film. I wanted to make a film that would bring a smile on everyone’s face while also tackle the universal topic of love and marriage,” she explains.

Sehgal and Bhansali have been very close since their childhood. No wonder then that they have the same sensibilities when it comes to filmmaking. Hence,Sehgal has made a conscious effort to make a film which looks and feels different from her brother’s work. “Comparisons are inevitable. So,I was clear about making a lighthearted romantic comedy,far removed from his territory of larger-than-life movies,so that people would notice my work,” she says.