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'He showed me the way'

Lata Khubchandani

What acting couldn't give him, direction did.

It earned him recognition and that most potent of aphrodisiacs: success.

But few know that Raakesh Roshan learnt his skills from master craftsman Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

This is how he was inspired:

WORKING with Hrishida was such a pleasure that it never seemed as if we actually were working...

Laughter was always part of Hrishida's unit. He was always joking around with you.

One thing about Hrishida was that he never told you the script beforehand.

He'd never tell us what shot he wanted. He'd just say, "Kamre mein khade ho. Left dekho aur dialogue bolo. Thoda sa smile rakho." (Stand in the room. Look to your left and say your dialogue with a little smile.)

If you asked, "Why Hrishida?" He'd just say, "Tum karo jaisa hum bolta hai." (Do as I tell you.)

We were all totally in his hands.

Work was actually a pleasure -- we didn't have to worry at all. He'd guide us through the script.

He was very friendly and had a way of making you feel cared for... he'd put his hand on your head or shoulder as if you were a small child. He has always been very affectionate. He would invite me home, saying, "Raakesh, come home we'll play chess."

His greatest virtue is that he's such a fine editor. He knew exactly what he wanted -- that's why even when we got no script he was so correct that nobody ever dared ask him why. Because we knew he was very clear about what he wanted.

I learnt a lot from him when we worked together in Khoobsurat.

I realised that to become a filmmaker, you have to be a good editor first. That's why when I became a director, I edited a couple of films. These were films I had produced myself. I would sit in as an apprentice with the editor. That's how I have learnt my craft. And Hrishida showed me the way.