My audience is not mindless

But the film is not without logical loopholes…
Interrupts I havent heard someone say its a bad film! As for logical loopholes,please dont forget that any average Hindi film has them too. In our case,we tried to tie the loose ends to the best of our ability. For me,logic is not a benchmark. Let the audience say that its a bad film. Then,Ill have something to worry about.

Is there anything youll do differently if you were to make Kurbaan again?
I say with great pride that Kurbaan in its current form is exactly what I wanted to make. But yes,there is a small thing Id like to address. The feedback that Ive got is that a majority of people felt that Kareenas character should have called 911 when she got to know of the terror plot.
Now,I can launch into reams of explanations that she was scared to do it because her father was being watched by a terrorist or that Saif had taken her cellphone when he put her under house arrest,but I understand that this is a major loophole. If I were to redo the film,Ill possibly add a scene that reiterates and establishes this more clearly.

There is also a perception that the publicity campaign of the film was misleading. The audience was expecting a love story with a title like Kurbaan and the tagline Some love stories have blood on them but got a serious film on terrorism. Do you think the earlier title Jihaad was more suitable?
We never had Jihaad in mind as a title. That title was given by the media. Till we got Kurbaan as a title,we used to call the film Production No. 15. I have no idea who thought of Jihaad. As for the publicity campaign,we didnt want to position it as a film on terrorism. The spine of Kurbaan is a love story which takes a thrilling turn eventually. We wanted a title and a poster to represent that. We got an iconic image in the form of Saif and Kareena and the bullet wound which we felt highlighted the sensuality as well as the thriller aspect of the film and so we went ahead.

Do you think Kareenas statement that she was embarrassed to show the lovemaking scene to her mother went against the bold approach of Kurbaan?
No. Kareena is an A-list actress who deserves to be lauded for taking on such a brave role. I dont even know whether she really did make that statement. As far as I know,she is very proud of the film. She has never asked me to censor the scene. She supports the film wholeheartedly. So,I dont know how she could have said this.

Do you think New York,which had a similar story,spoilt your party?
I dont think they are similar. New York was a drama and Kurbaan is a thriller. Anyway,there has been enough space between the two films,so its not like the audience was going to feel a sense of déjà vu. At the end of the day,as a film-maker,you sink or swim depending on how you make a film. Its wrong to think that anyone can spoil your party. Its your party after all,as long as you enjoy it.

You treated the issue of global terrorism as a debate in the film. Was that deliberate?
Yes,the intention of Kurbaan was to provoke a healthy debate. You cannot give any conclusion,thats too simplistic. Beyond a point,what are you going to say? Dont bomb? Of course,everybody knows that. There are no simple solutions to global terrorism. You cant take a stand. I have great faith in my audience,they are not mindless people who need to be indoctrinated. As long as they reflect on what is happening around them,the film has served its purpose.

Since Kurbaan has also had a widespread international release,did you face any trouble with the dialogues especially when Vivek Oberois character says,Just because you wear a fancy suit and call yourself the president,that doesnt mean you are not a terrorist?
The entire scene has been much appreciated and there hasnt been a single cut. I must admit that when we were shooting the scene,the American actors were quite uncomfortable saying these lines because they couldnt justify it. It was like a home truth.
In the scene,American students tell Vivek,If you hate this country so much then leave. To which Vivek replies,I will. As soon as you leave ours. Asians and especially Muslims have been hearing this line in the UK and the US a lot but they never had the next line. After Kurbaan,they do. I know that Kurbaan will always be remembered for this scene.

Saif Ali Khan feels you are quaint as a person. What does he mean by that?
I have no clue what he means by that. I dont even know how a person can be termed as quaint. Saif operates from some Victorian era. Have you looked at his hair? He is the one who seems to be straight out of a Harlequin Historical.
Jokes aside,Saif is a friend. He is a very intelligent actor. He has done a wonderful job in Kurbaan for which I feel he hasnt got his due. I guess,we like our actors to be all melodramatic and contort their faces into the camera. Saif has underplayed it so well that he humanises the terrorist.

Vivek Oberoi feels you are the next Mani Ratnam. Comment.
Smiles Yeah,I heard him say that on a TV channel. Mani Ratnam is one of my most favourite film-makers of all time. Its very sweet of Vivek to say that but Ive to politely decline the compliment. Mani sir has an enviable filmography,its unfair to even take our name in the same breath.

How are you going to balance your advertising and film career?
Ill always be making movies. My advertising agency,Meridian,which is a sister concern of the Ogilvy group,is doing well. Also,Im writing Shekhar Kapurs Paani and Mani Ratnams next. As for my next direction venture,Im currently deciding between two projects. Karan Johar will produce the next one also.