I feel that life is a series of accidents as you can only plan so much. In 1982, I enrolled in Alliance Francaise in Delhi to learn French and got involved with a theatre group there. This became a significant decision for me as I was intrigued by the medium and it added a new dimension to my life. In the following year, along with other theatre enthusiasts, I formed a group called Chingari.

I subsequently joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune and this proved to be the biggest turning point of my life. After passing out in 1988, I assisted directors Kumar Shahani and Mani Kaul for three years. After my stint with them, in 1994 I turned to direction with Tarana — a short film on Hindustani classical music. In 1997, I directed by first feature film, Private Detective: Two Plus Two Plus One.

In those days I had no work — and therefore no money. Then in 1999, quite by accident I got an offer to feature in the advertisement of Double Diamond Chai. Things started rolling for me after this. I bagged roles in Monsoon Wedding and Dil Chahta Hai in the same year.

Right now, I am busy acting. My film Via Darjeeling just got released. Some others to be released soon include Hulla, I am 24 and Raat Gayi Baat Gayi which is a very interesting film that I’ve co-written with director Sourav Shukla.

I am also directing my new movie (a love story) as well as directing my new play, Hamlet. The play will open in September and it’s actually Hamlet as performed by clowns. I am also anchoring Lounge on NDTV Imagine, a show based on urban relationships.

I want to make films I believe in, films with a certain sensibility and films that I’d like to watch.

(As told to Promita Mukherjee)