Laugh out loud

But Santoshi insists that this is a completely different genre. “It is a romantic comedy but does not share the same brand of humour with Andaz. Ajab Prem gives a lot of importance to the romance,which was missing in Andaz,” he explains.

Known to repeat actors,we half-expected him to cast either Salman or Aamir but Santoshi says that the script required a young pairing,with a certain amount of innocence. “I had liked Ranbir in Saawariya and Katrina’s growth with each film has been commendable,which is the result of her dedication towards her work,” he explains.

Ajab Prem is merely his third attempt at comedy. One wonders then what tickles his funny bone. “Life is multi-dimensional and there is certain humour in serious situations too. I’m a huge fan of PG Wodehouse,Woody Allen,Charlie Chaplin and the Marx brothers.”

The veteran filmmaker believes that the greatest of comedians have either had a very tragic life or have been very serious people. “The best of humourists have seen the worst in life and hence have the ability to view its lighter side. Chaplin’s work dates back to the Great Depression. Humour comes naturally only when you approach it with all seriousness,like I do with any of my movies.”

The common man’s struggle against the system is the leitmotif in all his films. “I pick up issues that I feel for and my films offer me the platform to speak up.” The filmmaker is already working on a script that dwells upon the Maoist threat to the country and the injustices meted out to the tribals in India. He also intends to make a film on the life of emperor Ashoka,which,unlike Santosh Sivan’s version,will begin with the Kalinga war.

The veteran,who otherwise does not believe in sequels,has good news for all those Andaz fans. “I’m currently writing a script with the same kind of humour as Andaz Apna Apna and this film too,like the original,will have two lead protagonists,one of which will be Ranbir.” The film,he says,will be called Adaa Apni Apni. And we can hardly wait.