Director-producer Maneesh Sharma, who was last is news for directing Shah Rukh Khan in Fan, is currently enjoying the success of Rani Mukerji starer Hichki.
Having produced the film, Maneesh says the moment Rani nodded for the film, he was hugely relieved.
“Rani heard the narration and said yes to it. So it was a great relief, but it was also a huge responsibility. It’s like now you have to make a good film because someone as big as Rani has said yes. You sort of own that responsibility,” says Maneesh.
And it was Maneesh who asked director Siddharth P Malhotra to bring modify the script to a woman-centric film.
“As far as making it female-centric is concerned, I believe I just go for creative choices. I just went by my instinct,” he smiles.
Meanwhile, Maneesh is also producing Anushka Sharma-starrer Sui Daaga. And having directed her in Band Baaja Baarat in the past, Maneesh just can’t stop gushing about the NH 10 actress.
“I think very few people in her generation, for times to come, would be able to boast of the kind of journey and leap she has taken in terms of her talent. I am super proud and happy for her,” he says.
Recalling the time when he first saw Anushka at auditions, Maneesh says, “I auditioned her for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi as I was the associate director to Aditya Chopra. I remember the first time I met her, I told her you are not filmy at all.”
Sui Dhaaga is based on the ideology of Made In India. Directed by Sharat Katariya, apart from Anushka the film also stars Varun Dhawan.
