There’s a lot happening (as usual) in Sushmita Sen’s life. She’s making her directorial debut, is awaiting Dulha Mil Gaya and lavishing praise on a different film, Samsara, that has caught her fancy...

You are the first contemporary heroine who will be making her directorial debut. Will you manage to juggle both acting and directing in Rani Laxmibai?

I was never meant to direct Rani Laxmibai; it just so happens that I will be directing it. My directing a film is actually destiny, my dear. How difficult it will be for me to be both a director and actor is something I will tell you in November 2009. It’s a bit too early right now. Yes, it is a formidable job and I hope that I can do it well.

What motivated you to make Rani Laxmibai?

I wanted to bring to the audiences a character from history, whose attributes have great relevance even today. And the time frame in which the story is set is not so far back — it’s only 150 years ago. Our great grandfathers lived in her time. So I hope to bring you a story that touches your heart and influences you in more ways than one. It’s something which Samsara — a film I like every much — does so beautifully. To be blatantly honest, if I can direct a film like Samsara in my lifetime, I will be honoured. I will be extremely proud to call myself a director.

You are actively promoting Samsara — a film with which you are not associated in any way. Why are you being so supportive?

I saw Samsara two years back on DVD and loved it. I didn’t know it had been made by an Indian so I felt extremely proud when I got to know that it had been directed by an Indian, Pan Nalin. In our country, so many films are made every year and it’s about time people from our country take our films and our expressions of creativity to the world audience. When an Indian director’s name is attached with such a good film, it makes me very proud.

What did you like so much about Samsara?

First, I regret the fact that I couldn’t see Samsara in a theatre because a film like that has to be an experience in a theatre. One needs 35mm to appreciate the way the film has been shot. I believe that whoever watches this film will take something from it.

What did you take away from the film?

When you will watch the film, you will realise that each one of us has a lustful life and a love for it too. When does love disappear and when does lust begin is what you have to figure out for yourself.

So has Samsara’s DVD become a prized possession?

Oh yes, I have a copy. Now that I know the director Pan Nalin, I will get more copies (laughs). If you believe in great cinema and if you collect great cinema from all over the world, you must have Pan Nalin’s Samsara. Not because it’s a film by an Indian director but because it is the finest example of world cinema.

A film directed by an Indian has been recognised in India after such a long time... sad, isn’t it?

The more we focus on what’s sad, the sadder we get. I think we should look at the positive — a film which has been shot by a Hindustani director at the height of 15,000 square feet in the Himalayas is finally releasing in India . I am really glad that Shemaroo is coming forward to release such a film.

When is your Dulha Mil Gaya releasing?

I am also waiting for Dulha for a long time (laughs). Dulha Mil Gaya is a film that I am looking forward to the most because I have enjoyed working the most in comedies. I guess Dulha Mil Gaya has come with its own destiny and we hope Shah Rukh’s (who has a special appearance in the film) dates will come by soon. Once they do, this film is going to hit the market. You will love the film. It’s a good commercial film.

What do you think of the film’s first-time director, Mudassar Aziz?

Firstly, I have made my entire career with first-time directors; and secondly, I have not come across a director who is more confident than Mudassar Aziz. He knows his film, he knows his audience, he even knows which theatre his films should be released in and why!