Bhagnani happy working with David Dhawan

He has had troubles with several directors. Now, having worked with his favourite director David Dhawan after a gap of five years, Vashu Bhagnani feels he has emerged from an ordeal by fire.

"I've gone through the hell," Vashu sighs in relief. "The kind of financial and production trouble I've been through would've killed off the career of any other producer. I'm made of sterner stuff."

Vashu shares the problems he had as producer of "Om Jai Jagdish", "Vaada" and "Silsilay".

"I lost Rs.100 million on 'Om Jai Jagdish'. From Bihar I got back only Rs.800,000 on that film! And then I was saddled with the reputation of being interfering! Even Satish Kaushik accused me of interference during 'Vaada'," Bhagnani told IANS.

"The days of the sleeper producer are gone. Today if I put in so much money I can't sit at home watching 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi'. I've to be an active part of the filmmaking process. But not to the extent of interfering... If I was guilty of that, would David work with me again?"

He cheers up at the mention of "Shaadi No.1".

"It's turned out wonderfully. And not once did I let David feel I was breathing down his neck. I left everything to him... except at the editing where I thought the film needed tightening up -- not because it wasn't looking terrific, but because it could be even better. I suggested we chop off some portions of the film. David immediately agreed."

Vashu shudders at the memory of his last experience.

"For 'Silsilay' I thought Khalid Mohamed needed to tighten up the film. His reaction to my suggestion was so rude and uncalled for! 'How dare you touch my film?' Khalid shouted at me. Finally the film was released as he wanted to. What good did it do?

"I was accused of being tight-fisted and not paying bills! The director has to come to me with the bills before I pay them. I'm not a defaulter. I know my duties as a producer.

"When Tabu asked for Rs.1.5 million for doing 'Silsilay', I offered to pay her 1.6. After all she was the biggest star in 'Silsilay'."

Vashu says the return of David Dhawan is the best thing to have happened to him. "He knows exactly what to do and how to go about it. I've already signed him to direct another film for me."

Vashu is also looking at launching his son Jackie next year. "I want him to be directed by a proper person. As a father, I'll do my best for my son."