Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapur in Jab we met; (below) director Imtiaz Ali

How was it directing two people on the verge of breaking up like Shahid and Kareena were in Jab We Met?

If there were any cracks between Shahid and Kareena, they did not put it out for us to see. Only when the principal shooting was over and there was one day left, we all heard that there was something that was going on. And that they have probably broken up. Even after that when they did work it was very cordial and professional between them. I admire them for having passed this difficult time, which everyone faces, with a lot of grace. And there was nothing that worried me at all.

And if two people are in love, is it easier to direct them?

No. In fact, if two people are really comfortable with each other, I believe it tends to get boring. For instance, if two people just standing in front of each other gives a lot of thrill to them, these two people who are always hugging and kissing each other in their room have to stand in front of each other, they wouldn’t look thrilled. Because they do it all the time. Of course, this I am saying from whatever I have experienced in theatre before films. It’s not necessary that two people be comfortable to do a good job. It might be comfortable but it may not be interesting. The sparks may be missing.

How does chemistry work? What did you do right with Shahid and Kareena that the other directors couldn’t?

I have no idea man! It was the first movie they were doing that was about relationships. And how chemistry happens, how it doesn’t, this is the question I guess I would never have the answer for. Also, the characters need to have chemistry on the script. Only then, the actors can go in that direction. The script helps them have chemistry.

Many feel that Socha Na Tha was as good as Jab We Met but it didn’t become big because Abhay and Ayesha were not Shahid and Kareena…

What has happened now is that the marketing of a movie and the correct release are quite important. During Socha Na Tha we did not have the resources to do justice to the release of the movie. I guess, it suffered from that. Also it came at a time when people were not enthusiastic about watching films. There was no money… it was a slump period. As many people saw Socha Na Tha as Jab We Met but they saw it over a period of two years… on TV, on DVD.

But I am also a believer in the fact that if a film did not do that well, then it was not as good. So I am not sure whether it was really good. Also, today when I see Jab We Met, I only see flaws. I am not a big fan of Jab We Met. Now, if I try to analyse, Socha Na Tha was a movie to be watched like that. It could be somebody’s personal treasure… It did not have the blockbuster appeal. And by the time Jab We Met came, most people had more or less seen Socha Na Tha. So they decided to go and watch Jab We Met, not only for Shahid and Kareena, but also because it was by the man who made Socha Na Tha.

That would make your Production No. 1 starring Saif and Deepika the most-awaited release of 2008. Do you feel the pressure?

I am not scared about that. With Saif and Deepika, we are a movie which is in the reckoning. People will give it a chance. So, I am seeing it in a way that it will have a positive interest to begin with. It’s a good position to be in. People feel they should watch the film unless it turns out to be bad.

Your most famous quote is that you didn’t think too much of Kareena the actress when you cast her...

When I say things like that, I am not trying to boast. When you have a girl in the film, you look from the point of view of that girl and see if anybody fits in it. And not only fits, but looks interesting in it. I had a feeling Kareena would look interesting as Geet. So my interest in Kareena the actor was from that point of view. I thought she will be exciting in it. There are really good actors but I will only be excited in them if there are characters which I feel they will bring to life in a really interesting way.

If now Saif asks you to write a script with him and Kareena in mind, can you do it?

The story comes first. I only think in terms of my script. What excites me is the suitability of the actor with respect to the script.