I was ordered to make a comedy: Dibakar Banerjee

Mumbai: Though Khosla Ka Ghosla director Dibakar Banerjee is relatively new in Bollywood, one thing he has understood is that if you don't have A-list stars, you are asked to make a "bankable" comedy.

The producers clearly told Banerjee to deliver a comedy, although he wasn't in the mood for one. Says the director, "If you're making a film that doesn't feature A-listers you're advised to make a comedy; that's a fact."

From Welcome to Dostana, it's a prolonged season of comedies in Bollywood. And the Khosla Ka Ghosla director was apparently asked to deliver another laughathon by his producers though Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye was not really meant to be comedy.

"It has a lot of humour. But I'd be seriously offended if anyone called it a comedy. You're right. It's the season of comedies. And when a director goes to producers with a project that doesn't star one of the big stars he's asked to make a comedy.

"However my film may be pitched I hope audiences see it in the right spirit."

Dibakar had a tough time writing this 'comedy'. Jaideep Sahni, who played such a big hand in making Khosla Ka Ghosla what it was, decided to write exclusively for Yash Raj Films.

Dibakar had no option but to pen Oye Lucky... himself with Urmi Javekar.

But there's no rancour about it. "Jaideep is doing well for himself at Yash Raj. I wish him well. He must direct a film soon."

There's also no bitterness about missing out on the National award. "I didn't get a National award for Khosla Ka Ghosla. But the film did. So it was a triumph for the whole team."

Making Khosla... was not easy for Dibakar. It had almost gone to the realm of being shelved when UTV retrieved it.

"But I didn't see it as a struggle. It's because of my good friend Jaideep. He called me one day. I was a normal yuppy admaker. Jaideep did all the struggling, not me. He got me the offer to direct 'Khosla Ka Ghosla'. It wasn't an easy film to package and pre-sell. In fact I'd say the producers and writer struggled for me."

Today when Jaideep Sahni has moved to posher pastures it is natural for Dibakar to feel left behind.

Khosla Ka Ghosla took almost three years to be completed and released. "I'd say der aaye durust aaye (better late than never). Thank god, Khosla... released after the multiplex audiences was alert and ready."