NEVER SAY DIE: Soha Ali Khan and Emraan Hashmi are the lead pair of Tum Mile

Does getting a second film become easier when your first (Jannat) is a hit?

It becomes relatively easier to get your second film rolling. After a hit, people trust you. We are in a business where 90 per cent of films flop. When you belong to the 10 per cent, like it or not, people start looking up to you for answers. You might not have the answers but you have to pretend that you know the answers (laughs).

Are you as passionate about Tum Mile as you were about your first film?

This was the first story idea that I thought of and I wanted to tell this story first. Tum Mile is the story of a couple who meet on the day of the Mumbai floods of 2005. I would have died if I wasn’t able to make this film. I was one of the people stuck on July 26. There were sights and sounds that I will never be able to forget. It changed my life, which is what I want to bring to the film.

Why didn’t you make this first?

Simply because the content of the film was tough. It’s a disaster-based film which means a big budget in sets, VFX, considering we have to shoot in water. You can’t say that you want to make a disaster film in Rs 4-5 crore. It’s like making a period film. When I was a first-time filmmaker, they were not sure if I could pull off such a big film. Fair enough. If I had done this film first I might have fallen on my face. I am glad that I didn’t make this film first.

Where were you on 26/7?

I was shooting a song with Deepal Shaw (for Kalyug, on which I was an assistant director) at a nightclub. We had to stop shooting because all the cables were wet, cell-phone networks were down. We packed up. It took me five hours to walk home. I will never forget that day for the rest of my life.

Tum Mile sounds like a physically demanding film. Were your actors co-operative?

Absolutely! Hats off to Soha and Emraan. They had a ‘never say die’ attitude. When I went to them with a narration, I knowingly spoke about how we would shoot in the water. The actors knew it was going to be difficult so everyone was mentally prepared for 30 days of boot camp. There was just one day where Soha was running high fever and we had to pack up. And once Emraan hurt his eyes so we couldn’t shoot the next three days. Otherwise, no one complained about small injuries like rashes and allergies. It was completely mind over body.

How did you get Soha?

I bumped into Soha at Taj Land’s End. And I knew that she was right for the role. I messaged her the next day and narrated the role to her.

And you wanted to work with Emraan again...

I have become more comfortable with him. He knows me better, I know him better. When you make a difficult film, you gather all your strength. So why wouldn’t I work with him?

Why did you not consider Sonal Chauhan of Jannat?

For this film I needed someone slightly more mature who had more work experience. That’s why I cast Soha.

This is your second film with the Bhatts...

I have signed a three-film contract with them. I am extremely close to them. My association will go beyond these three films.

What are your upcoming projects?

I believe in doing one film at a time. But I have opened a restaurant in Pune with my two friends.

Can you cook?

I can cook to impress a date.

Is there someone special you cook for?

I am completely single and ready to mingle. The only special person in my life is Tum Mile. She takes up all my time, wakes me up early, and keeps me on my toes, quite a demanding girlfriend.