Salman Khan on a hat-trick

The director’s foray into Hindi films,however,was more by chance than by choice. When Khan watched the Malayalam version,he decided to remake it in Hindi with sister Alvira and filmmaker brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri as producers. While buying the rights,he also decided that the original director will be roped in for the Hindi adaptation as well. “When Atul asked me if I was comfortable making the film in Hindi,I took some time to think it over before giving my assent,” says Siddique.

The direction was easy but the language,understandably,was a barrier. “I can’t speak good Hindi,” Siddique says,as he speaks with a strong accent. “I faced problems coordinating with the crew,but since everyone had seen the film beforehand,they knew what was required,” he says. The Hindi version,however,is not entirely the same as the original.

“Salman’s popularity in Bollywood amazes me. When I started directing him,I realised there is a certain way his fans like to see him. So we have altered the script accordingly,” adds the director,who declined the offer to direct the Telugu version with Venkatesh and Trisha in the lead,so that he is not overwhelmed by one film.

Working in Bollywood has made Siddique realise the astronomical budgets it works on. “As a filmmaker,you have complete freedom to explore your dreams. The technology is outstanding. And while in Malayalam and Tamil,around 100 prints per film are released,here we have over 2,000,” he says.

But on the flipside,Siddique had to get used to erratic timings. “In the South,we work as if we hold a 9am-5pm job,while here,work starts late in the day and goes on till late in the night. But the efforts the actors and the crew put in remain the same,” he adds.