I have known Yashji (Yash Chopra) and his son Aditya for many years. Many times they had expressed a desire to work with me after seeing my plays. I began writing this film for the Yash Raj banner.

What happened then?

The Chopras were very keen on the film project but our visions differed. It troubled me. And it troubled them, too. So at one point, it was like all of us saying, Let us not push any further. We could work together on another project. It was a graceful parting.

How did Anil Kapoor come into the picture?

I have known Anil for many, many years. We are good friends. He always wanted me to direct him in a play but that did not happen. When he heard I wasn't going to make the film for the Chopras, he asked to look at the script. He was deeply moved. He cried. And then he asked me if he could show it to his wife. She too was overwhelmed. Anil then decided he would start his production company with Gandhi My Father.

What were the challenges you ran into while making the film?

In finding a fine actor to play Gandhi. I was not so worried about casting Harilal. Harilal is not a known quantity as Gandhi is. And Anil suggested we could cast Akshaye Khanna. Anil and he have worked together in several films. I think it was a brilliant suggestion. For Gandhi we wanted a comparatively new actor, at least new to the movies. We found one. He was brilliant but he was not destined to play Gandhi.