Exclusive Interview: The story of Ek Haseena Thi Ek Deewana Tha is its body and music its soul, says director Suneel Darshan

Director, producer and writer, Suneel Darshan is making a comeback. The maker, who previously helmed super successful projects like 'Jaanwar’, 'Ek Rishta’ and Dosti: Friends Forever', recently unveiled the theatrical trailer of his next most awaited film ‘Ek Haseena Thi Ek Deewana Tha’. Starring Shiv Darshan, Natasha Fernandez and Upen Patel in principal roles, the movie has been shot across many beautiful locations of the UK. The film boasts of soulful melodies composed by veteran music composer Nadeem of Nadeem-Shravan fame. As the maker gears up for the release of his next, he sits down with BollywoodMDB.com and tells us more about his film.

You have made some wonderful films in the past. The last film which you directed was Shakalaka Boom Boom, which released way back in 2007. And now, you are coming up with a romantic thriller film, Ek Haseena Thi Ek Deewana Tha, after a decade. Why such a long gap?

First, I would like to thank you and the entire media for giving a rousing reception to my film and its music. Ek Haseena Thi Ek Deewana Tha is a very special film for me. I have been making movie since three decades now, but then I took a back seat and decided to wait for the time to past before I could probably resume my career. And when I felt it's time to come back, I wrote a story, structured its screenplay properly and created music with my favorite music composer Nadeem of Nadeem-Shravan fame. When I was totally satisfied with the whole product which I had put down on paper, I got down to filming the movie in the United Kingdom.

Your son, Shiv Darshan, is playing one of the leads in the film. Tell us about your experience working with your own son.

I launched my son, Shiv, in Karle Pyaar Karle in 2014. I did not direct that film as I wanted to work with a new director. That was a wonderful film. But unfortunately it could not do well at the box office. After that I kept a gap between his two films on purpose, so that people could forget that film and I could re-launch Shiv in a fresh film. Working with on a film set was great.

How did you come about roping in Natasha Fernandez?

My film needed a beautiful actress. I was quite confused about whether I should sign an established actress or a new face. One fine day, I was out for dinner at a restaurant where I saw a girl sitting across the table. She was young, gorgeous and beautiful. Later, I approached her for the role. It was a moment of disbelief for her as she had never ever thought she would land up a role like that. We then did a photoshoot with her and groomed her a lot before launching in this film.

How did you think of taking Nadeem as a music composer, because he has been away from the industry for many years now?

I believe that Nadeem with his partner Shravan has composed the best music of last 25 years. Be it blockbuster Aashiqui, Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi, Sadak or Saajan, there is a long list of films for which he composed incredible music. He is a very promising music composer and I have always been his fan. I feel blessed to have worked with him on my films like Ek Rishta and Andaaz. We have done seven films together. It has been tremendous pleasure working with such a huge talent. Like me he, too, was in hibernation and wanted to restage a comeback. By chance, I had the script and everything ready, so I thought of approaching him, because he is the only music composer who can compose the entire soundtrack of a film in a single day.

What is the USP of your film?

The USP of this film is its freshness. You will find every actor of my film living their character. Its music supports its story. Nowadays, I don't think commercial films are made without any item number, my film does not have that. The story of this film is its body and music its soul.