Anupam Kher dons the director hat

he put up.

At Mehboob, the shooting floor had been converted into an auditorium of sorts. Everyone cheered as Kher introduced his cast for the film — Anil Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Tabu, Urmila Matondkar and Diya Mirza, (Fardeen Khan, who’s also in the film, was shooting in Bikaner) — took over the stage while the music system blared the popular bhajan from which the film’s title is taken.

Having lost oodles of weight and draped in a pink sari, Kiron Kher beamed brightly while her husband invited “my friends – Boney Kapoor, Satish Kaushik and Pradeep Guha – who have helped me so much in my career” to break the auspicious coconut.

Producer Vashu Bhagnani preened like a proud peacock, at having assembled such a stellar cast, not to mention a fab deal with HMV, who have picked up the audio rights for this and the next five of Bhagnani’s productions.

According to industry information, the Tauranis of Tips were not willing to enter into a multi-crore deal with Bhagnani for his future films prompting the producer to look elsewhere. But all’s fair in love and film-making — Ramesh Taurani was spotted in the front row, loudly clapping.

It was also an afternoon where some old pals caught up after a long time. There was much air-kissing and friendly hugging. Tabu engulfed Boney Kapoor, mentor and brother-figure in a tight bear hug while Aishwarya Rai playfully tugged at Guha off-stage.

For Kher, this is a milestone. Having started his acting career in Mahesh Bhatt’s Saaransh which was released in the mid-eighties and a veteran of the industry for 15 years, Kher is attempting a new role. Over the years he has essayed a variety of roles — villain (Karma, Vijay), comedian (Ram Lakhan, Dil, Dil Hai Ke Maanta Nahin) and strong supporting roles (Daddy, Chandni) as well. Last year he turned producer when he hired Rituparno Ghosh to direct his wife Kiron in the Bengali masterpiece Bariwali which won her the National Award for Best Actress. Now, the director’s touch.