'I don't know why Salman is misunderstood'

Tamil actress Revathy Menon made her acting debut in Hindi films opposite Salman Khan in Love (1991).

More than a decade later, she directs Salman in her second directorial venture in Hindi, Phir Milenge.

The film, which confronts the subject of AIDS for the first time in Bollywood, also stars Shilpa Shetty and Abhishek Bachchan.

Talking to News Editor (Entertainment) Syed Firdaus Ashraf Revathy clarifies, "Phir Milenge is not about AIDS only. It is a beautiful and emotional love story."

Why did you choose to make a film on AIDS? Isn't it an unusual subject?

I must counter the question by saying why not? We talk about child abuse and the abuse of women in our films. We have done films on cancer and on lesbian relationships. So why not on HIV and AIDS? The whole world has been affected by this disease for the last 20 years and I think it is important to do this film.

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There is no awareness in our country. Most people feel if you are HIV positive you are dead. This is not true. I know a person who is HIV positive but has been alive for the last 17 years. He has a child who is [HIV] negative. These are things that people don't know.

I am not comfortable with Bollywood masala kind of films. This film [Phir Milenge] is also very beautiful and emotional. It has the same soft sentimentality that Mitr had.

On what basis did you cast Shilpa Shetty, Abhishek Bachchan and Salman Khan?

I needed Shilpa in this role because she looks glamorous. Abhishek I took because he looks very sincere on screen.

As for Salman, Shilpa spoke to him about this film. He [Revathy and Salman had acted in Love] then called me and said he wanted to be a part of it. After 10 minutes I called him and asked if he was serious. Did he really want to be part of this film? He said yes. He has done this film literally for free.

Did he want to do it because you acted opposite him in Love?

No. I don't think so.

How was your experience with Salman? Do you feel he is much misunderstood?

I don't know why he is misunderstood. He is a wonderful human being and very gentlemanly. He was very cooperative with our film.

I used to start shooting at 7 am and end at 2 am. But he never complained. As far as Phir Milenge is concerned, he is a gem. He has been wonderful at all our meetings.

Why did you choose the title Phir Milenge?

It means 'I will meet you again'. It is like meeting life again.

Is the movie a way to spread a message about AIDS?

It is a story of relationships. Of friendship and love. In all this there is a stigma about a dreaded disease called AIDS. This stigma is in the background but it can affect the relationship.

Bollywood is popular among the Indian masses. People will learn about HIV and AIDS with this film. But this is not a documentary. I am not trying to spread a message. After seeing Kal Ho Naa Ho one cannot say you get a message on heart disease as Shah Rukh Khan dies of that. In the same way my film is a love story with AIDS in the background.

Why did you want to make a film on AIDS?

As a social activist, I am involved in the awareness of HIV. So I felt, why not?

Shailendra Singh of Percept Relations agreed with me. It is very rare that you get a producer who is ready to make a film that talks about a disease that is stigmatized.

Do you think direction is more open to women now?

Definitely. Society has grown and matured. Fathers and brothers have grown and given freedom to their sisters and daughters to do what they want to do in life. It is a good thing.

Will you return to acting?

Yes, if I get interesting roles. As of now, I am not considering acting.