'Don't take me lightly!' Comedian-director Satish Kaushik on Badhaai Ho Badhaai.

He has been around for a long time.

Satish Kaushik cuts a shy presence. A graduate from the renowned National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi, the director came to Mumbai to try his luck in films. His first film was a bit role in Bapu's Woh Saat Din, with Anil Kapoor and Padmini Kolhapure in the lead.

This was the time Kaushik developed a friendship with with Boney and Anil Kapoor. They went on to make quite a lot of films together. "In an industry after big hits together, relationships break up. In my case, I directed two flops for the Kapoor brothers (Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, Prem) , and our relationship has only grown stronger," says Kaushik.

Anil Kapoor and Satish Kaushik then founded their own production house Kapoor and Kaushik Entertainment Private Limited. And now, they are ready with their first film Badhaai Ho Badhaai, starring Anil Kapoor, Shilpa Shetty and Kirti Reddy.

Lata Khubchandani speaks to the director about the film.

It being your first home production, Badhaai Ho Badhaai must be very close to your heart...?

Yes. It's a feel-good film. After Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai, Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hai and Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai, my presence as a director will be felt. These three films have been very successful and Badhaai Ho Badhaai is going to be the climax. My work is finally recognised.

The screenplay and dialogues for the film are by Kavita Chaudhry (of television serial Udaan fame). We have known each other since our NSD days. The story is mine.

What would you say is a Satish Kaushik trademark?

People think that because I play comic roles, my films will have a comic flavour as well. But I am a student of drama. My sense of characterisation is strong. My last three films have given me a grounding which says 'don't take me lightly'.

Badhaai Ho Badhaai is being talked about as a film with universal appeal...

Yes. The film talks about how the society needs a positive attitude. You may not get anything in return, or you may even lose out. But don't stop celebrating life. Badhai Ho Badhai is about spreading love and happiness --- and Kavita Chaudhry speaks of it in a gentle manner.

Anil Kapoor's character seems to be a secret...

Yes. This character has been with me for years and I have moulded it into Anil's character in this film. He is one of those timeless universal characters whose flavour will remain with you after the film is gone. I am very excited about it.

You are also coming out with a comicbook based on the film.

Yes. Egmont (one of the largest publishers of comics in the world) saw the film and realised its potential; especially Anil's character. So they decided to go ahead with the comic books along with children's books and games. The concept of the film is such that it lends itself to a comic book.

This trend started with Aamir Khan's Lagaan. But the difference is that while comic books happened to Lagaan after it was released, in the case of Badhaai Ho Badhaai, the comics will be out before the film's release.

How do Shilpa and Kirti fit in?

Shilpa has a sensuous character. I needed a Punjabi look and Shilpa suited it. Kirti has a funny role. Even though Kirti's films bombed at the box-office, it didn't deter me. I made her attend a speech workshop. I decided since this is my film, I'll do the best for it. So I worked hard with her on her dialogue delivery.

This film will be the culmination of what I showed in my last three hit films. I'm looking forward to it.