‘Will do anything that involves films’

Director-screenplay writer, Sabbir Khan tells Shalini Saksena that it was neither a confidence nor a conscious move that his last three films had Tiger Shroff

You are a director and a screenwriter. Is it easy??

To be honest it is not always the case. Writing a screenplay is tough. You need to lock yourself away and try to finish your story and characters. You are always on the lookout for characters that will amaze you. Being a director you are challenged by not being able to understand the other’s vision and need to depend on your own.

What was the reason for discarding two attempts before you finally wrote Khambakht Ishq?

What I wrote back then was not compatible with what the producer was looking for. He had a totally different vision. I was just starting off and was writing for a different genre. So the first two drafts were discarded and for the third, I came halfway on what he wants and he met me halfway.

Your family has ties in the industry. Did you still have to struggle?

Yes, definitely. My father was a songwriter but not a very successful one. This was the reason he never wanted me to join the industry. But I knew where my interest lay. This upset my father for the longest time. He didn’t support my move. I really had to struggle in the industry to find my way in.

What lessons did you learn while you assisted Mahesh Bhatt and David Dhawan?

I don’t think that one can imbibe the qualities of your immediate bosses. But one thing that I learnt from Bhatt sahab was to go after things that you want. He taught me to believe in myself. He taught me to not just work with others but also be independent. He is very appreciative of people who take a stand. With Davidji, it was more to do with learning the economics of filmmaking. He is called one of the most economical directors of his time — completes a film with a time span and budget.

How has making music videos and trailers helped you shape into a director that you are today?

I started my career in advertising as a copywriter. Even though my first love is film, videos, trailers and commercials are exciting. Anything that involves films, I do.

Has it been a conscious decision that your last three films have been with Tiger Shroff?

It was neither a conscious decision nor a coincidence. It was just an organic growing of our relationship. It started with his journey with me. We were very comfortable working with each other. So we talked of making another film and made the second and in the second, we talked of the third. It was not pre-planned.

Do you subscribe to the 100-crore club?

I don’t really subscribe to it and believe in numbers. The first instinct a filmmaker believes in is the story and that it excites him and makes him want to put it out on the 70-mm screen. So the first thought should be to make an interesting film on that subject. The other thing is that not every film is a hit. There are only five or six films that are hits and we as directors are aware of this.

What subjects excite you?

As a lay person, I like to watch every film. For example, I would love to go and see Tumahri Sulu. It is not the kind of film that I have ever made. I would also like to go and see Justice League. I would like to diversify and broaden my horizon and make movies in different genres since I love to read and watch everything.

How did Munna Michael (aired on &Pictures) happen?

We were towards the end of Heropanti and started to talk about what next. I narrated a story that I had in mind and that really excited him. But our next project was Baghi but he kept reminding me of our earlier talks. I told him that I would get back to him once I had developed it.

Are you working on a project?

I am in the middle of writing something. It is about human relationships — a drama.