To begin with, I didn't get as much media attention while working on the original film in 1978! It has turned into a cult film, and everyone now wants to know more about it. I am very happy that Farhan Akhtar is working on a remake. I feel as if I am being rewarded for work I did 28 years ago.

Did you like the promos of Shah Rukh Khan's Don?

Farhan and his producers took a No Objection Certificate from me before going ahead with their film. He told me he would give the film a new look. I like Farhan's work; I liked his Dil Chahta Hai. People are expecting too much from the new Don though.

I am sure Farhan will make a good film. Filmmaking is all about storytelling and one shouldn't discourage those who want to try something different.

Check out: This Diwali/Eid: Don vs Jaan-E-Mann

Compared to what you feel now, what was it like when Don was to be released in 1978?

Don was to hit screens on May 12, 1978. Two weeks before that date, Yash Chopra's Trishul was released and became a big hit. We had no money to promote Don because the producer Nariman Irani died six months before the release. There were other films out at around the same time -- including Satyajit Ray's Shatranj Ke Khiladi, Satyam Shivam Sundaram and Prakash Mehra's Muqaddar Ka Sikandar -- and I, as a debutant director, was a dwarf compared to them.

Moreover, Don was the only Amitabh film with him as the lead; his other projects were all multi-starrers. So, I was obviously nervous.

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