"People will certainly make comparisons between Lagaan and Swades," he said. "Even I do it when I watch another filmmaker's film. I have sweated, toiled and laboured for Swades. It is very close to my heart. I hope it is loved by one and all."

Swades is a film about an Indian (played by Shah Rukh Khan) who leaves his country for a better life abroad and rediscovers his roots later.

Newcomer Gayatri Joshi plays the female lead opposite SRK.

Ashutosh and Gayatri at the premiere.

Text: Vickey Lalwani
Photographs: Pradeep Bandekar
Design: Uday Kuckian

Want to see Swades? Check out http://tickets.rediff.com/