Two young directors make their directorial debut this month.

While Amit Saxena, 30, is biting his nails about the fate of Jism, starring John Abraham and Bipasha Basu, releasing January 17, Anil Kumar, 28, is busy visiting temples and praying for the success of his Tusshar Kapoor-Esha Deol film Kucch To Hai, which releases January 24.

Both were not born in Mumbai

Saxena is from Delhi; Kumar hails from Patna. Both came to Mumbai with stars in their eyes. 

"I have a BSc," Saxena says. "I've always felt one should do something close to one's heart. Education and career don't necessarily go hand-in-hand. I was attracted to films since childhood."

Kumar is more forthright: "I joined this line for the money. I am here to earn maximum. Else, I would never have come away from my parents. I want to make sufficient money so they can be comfortable.

"I came to Mumbai in 1992, a little before the communal riots. I still remember the horrendous day that I ran for my life: a mob tried to attack me. I was in Goregaon (a suburb in northwest Mumbai). I kept running and reached Film City. Even that day, there were some shootings going on. I was fascinated. Even after everything had settled down, I kept going there. One day I decided I wanted to try my hand at direction."

Both directed serials on television

"I have known Pooja Bhatt [co-producer of Jism] for a while now, " says Saxena. "I had directed a pilot episode of a serial for her, which unfortunately was not approved. I did a few episodes for her Aap Jo Kahen Haan, Aap Jo Kahen Na; the promos of her film Dushman; I edited her serial Dhund. Then came the promos of Zakhm.

"Then she suggested I direct one of her forthcoming films."

Kumar says, "I joined Raman Kumar, whose company Traxinema was into making serials. He made me assistant director for one of his serials, Tara. Later, I became chief assistant for three of his serials, Shatranj, Umeed and V3Plus.

"When Raman's company ran into losses, I branched out. I joined Kushan Nandy [son of Kaante producer Pritish Nandy] and assisted him on some episodes of Thriller at 10.

"Then my life changed. Ekta Kapoor spotted me directing Thriller at 10 at Shirdi [in Maharashtra]. She got in touch with Kushan and asked me to direct Kaun followed by Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki and Kkusum. I loved the fact that my serials were so popular. Then one day she said I should take charge of her film Kucch To Hai. I was stunned."

Both have directed their first films for a woman producer and are proud about it

Jism is co-produced by Pooja Bhatt; Kucch To Hai is produced by Ekta Kapoor.

"I owe everything to Ekta Kapoor," says Kumar. "If she had not spotted me at Shirdi, you would not be sitting across me now  *smiles*. Ekta often came on the sets. I was given a free hand on most occasions, but Ekta never let her baby (the film) out of her sight.

"Kucch to Hai is Ekta's baby. Anurag Basu was first directing the film. She replaced him simply because the baby was not as per her expectations. I have no problems if she gives credit to Anurag in the titles. After all, he shot a substantial part of the film when they fell out, though we have retained only 25 per cent of his work.

"Ekta and I had to make a lot of changes. We even changed the title. Earlier the film was called Kya Pyar Karoge Mujhse. We had to retain some of Anurag's stuff, yet maintain the continuity of the film."

"Pooja and I are very good friends," Saxena says. "Pooja is a hands-on producer. Also, she happens to be very creative. Why should it not be channeled into the making of this film?

"Pooja was present on the sets every day. The presence of a commanding woman on the sets was necessary for my bold film. Pooja made Bipasha realise that if she (Bipasha) was uncomfortable in the lovemaking scenes, the film would fall flat. The main concept, which was using her body to become rich, would be defeated. Bipasha connected with her. Of course, John and Bipasha's friendship off screen added to the ease." *smiles*

Both have no qualms admitting that their films are 'inspired'

"Jism," Saxena says, "is a film about lust, greed, deception and redemption, inspired from the 1944 classic Double Indemnity. It is not a replica. Mahesh Bhatt has written the film. It took him seven months to write it. If it was a replica, would it have taken him so long?"

Kumar explains, "There are some portions in Kucch To Hai which have been lifted from the famous Hollywood film I Know What You Did Last Summer, but it is not a copy. Yes, here too, we have six friends (four boys and two girls -- Tusshar Kapoor, Esha Deol, Natasha, Yash Tonk, Vrajesh Hirji and Khush) who make a mistake and have to suffer the consequences.

"I bet my last shirt that viewers, including those who have seen I Know What You Did Last Summer, won't be able to guess the suspense."

Both directors did not have much of a say in deciding the cast

While the entire cast of Kucch To Hai was decided long before Kumar stepped into Basu's shoes, Pooja was very clear whom she wanted. Saxena says, "Pooja wanted Bipasha no matter what. She said this girl has maximum sex appeal and will justify the character. As for John Abraham, we looked at three or four actors before he came in to Pooja's office. The moment we saw him, we knew our search was over. John's body language is amazingly sexy."

Adds Kumar, "I am very happy with Ekta's choices. Even the supporting cast fit their roles to a T. The tight suspenseful script of my film will be a winner."

Both stick their necks out to forecast a bright future for the protagonists of their films

Kumar claims, "Kucch To Hai will be the turning point in Esha's career. This girl has a bright future. Though she is the daughter of Dharmendra and Hema Malini, she has absolutely no airs. She is willing to learn.

"Tusshar is a natural performer admired even by critics. I am not worried that his last film Jeena Sirf Merre Liye bombed. Both these youngsters will be seen and heard a lot."

Saxena feels, "Bipasha has lots of oomph. She has played the character who uses her sexuality to move up in life very well. But John is the surprise of Jism. He plays the Casanova lawyer who falls in love with Bipasha. Note their expressions in the scene when John sees Bipasha for the first time. Gulshan Grover, who plays Bipasha's husband, also has a meaty role."

Both complain of staleness plaguing Bollywood

Laments Kumar, "Cinema tickets are out of the common man's reach. Directors are scared to experiment. Music is hardly original. Even some actors and actresses prefer being typecast. It's a no-win situation."

Complains Saxena, "The public is sick of seeing the same old repetitive stuff. They want something new. Candy floss stuff, in particular, has been grossly overdone."

Both use exactly the same words to end the encounter: "We have been bold and innovative and there is no reason why our new stuff will not impress the public."

Have your say!

Do you think Hollywood remakes make for a good watch?