Life Partner pitted against Kaminey

Now this is a real coincidence. Rumi Jaffery's directorial debut God Tussi Great Ho was released on 15th August last year, while his second outing, Life Partner, is slated for release on 14th August this year. Also, last year, God Tussi Great Ho was pitted against Bachna Ae Haseeno (Ranbir Kapoor), while Life Partner will come face to face with Kaminey (a Kapur again, this time Shahid). Quite a coincidence, isn't it?

"No, I am not into numerology," Rumi corrects me, "If you recall, Life Partner was scheduled to release in May, but the producers versus multiplexes strike forced us to shift our film to a latter date. It wasn't intentional (of releasing in August), it just happened. As for clashing with another biggie this year, let me add that both Kaminey and Life Partner are diverse in terms of content. Both can co-exist."

Rumi doesn't deny that he has to get it right this time. "If your first film doesn't work for whatever reasons, you've this additional responsibility on your shoulders to get it right the second time. This time, I am very, very confident of my product. There has been no delay in completing the film. Plus, the subject is the type that holds universal appeal. It's for those who believe in arranged marriages (Tusshar - Prachi Desai), it's for those who believe in love marriages (Fardeen Khan - Genelia D'Souza), it's for those who don't believe in the institution of marriage (Govinda - Amrita Rao)," Rumi states.

Not many are aware that the role essayed by Govinda was initially offered to Akshay Kumar. Everything was finalized, but the schedule of 8x10 Tasveer went haywire and Akshay had to allot additional dates to the film, pushing several films out of gear. Life Partner also got affected in the process. "Govinda graciously stepped into the project. He loved the script, allotted dates instantly and was co-operation personified throughout the making of the film," Rumi says.

Life Partner marks the debut of Abbas-Mustan in the production arena. "They've been wonderful. Since they're directors themselves, they ensured that I got complete creative freedom when I started filming. Even when I told them that we'd take Hussainbhai's services to edit the film (Abbas-Mustan's brother, who edits their films), they told me that I shouldn't, because that would compel people to believe that they (Abbas-Mustan) have ghost-directed the film. That only shows how distinguished they are," Rumi says.