Ashutosh Gowariker talks about directing his first romantic comedy, the leading ladies in his films and his outbursts at award functions

After making classics such as Lagaan and Jodhaa Akbar, why are you now doing a romantic comedy, What’s Your Raashee?
I wanted to see if I could adapt to different genres. If, as a part of an audience, I can enjoy drama, action, romance and thrillers, so why can’t I make them? Since my last three films, Lagaan, Swades and Jodhaa Akbar, took nine years to make, in between, I had the time to write other scripts. So, after Jodhaa Akbar, I was ready with What’s Your Raashee and we rolled immediately.

Did you ever think of casting 12 different girls for the raashees or was it always supposed to be one actress?
It was always supposed to be one heroine. If I had shown 12 different girls, the audience would think that the fairest among them should be getting the guy. I wanted the audience to know that eventually the character, Yogesh Patel, will get Priyanka Chopra, that way they can sit back and enjoy all the raashees.

What was it about Priyanka that made you think she can carry off the 12 characters?
Priyanka was my first and only choice. I dread to think what I would have done if she had said no. I’ve noticed Priyanka’s work right from Hero to Aitraaz, in which she was dangerous and Andaaz, in which she showed jealousy. She nuances every character that she plays. I was confident that she could bring out the different aspects of each raashee very well.

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