People have said that Taj Mahal reminds them of Mughal-e-Azam, and that makes me happy. I'm a great fan of that film. I have been inspired by it, not copied it.

The way I have conceived Taj Mahal is for the world audience. People even told me I should keep the beautiful sets as permanent structures in [Mumbai's] Film City!

I am a man of patience. I don't get excited very easily. I had to have temperament like that, otherwise I could not have done this project.

Our film industry has not yet paid tribute to the Taj Mahal. I'm lucky to do it after 36 years. Pradeep Kumar and Bina Rai did a fabulous job in the earlier film, Taj Mahal [1963]. It was a big hit. I hope this one will also be a hit.

The architecture of Taj Mahal is marvelous. The silence speaks to you. When I went there, I felt that the structure had a kind of aura. I saw tourists crying after hearing the story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, and I thought it was a brilliant idea to make a film on it. Finally, I have realised my dream.