Sabbir Khan on Kambakkht Ishq

"I grew up in a middle class environment where going to the theatre to watch a movie was a monthly affair. So it had to be a grand film that we wouldn't waste our money on. It's the same case with majority Indian families today. That's why I've made sure I made a universal, paisa-vasool film," Kambakkht Ishq director Sabbir Khan makes a valid point.

Everyone's hoping (and praying) that Kambakkht Ishq does the trick. How did Sabbir bag this prestigious project? "The sole person responsible for pushing me to this stage is Sajid Nadiadwala. I'm here because of his persistent confidence in me," Sabbir reveals, adding in the same breath that Sajid noticed the spark in him after he assisted David Dhawan in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi.

Casting the Hollywood bigwigs must've been tough. "It all started when I made a joke and Sajidbhai ended up taking it seriously. He managed to convince the actors and made it possible," Sabbir says, adding in the same breath, "Working with them (the Hollywood stars) is something I'll never forget. I'd like to recall a particular incident, while shooting with (Sylvester) Stallone. We were shooting at Kodak Theatre and had a crowd of approx. 6,000 people that day. There was so much noise then, but the moment Stallone walked on stage, there was pin-drop silence. Such is the charisma of that man."

What is Sabbir's next move? His next movie? "Right now, I just want to take a long vacation and may be, write. My next film will be with Sajidbhai again, which is scheduled to go on floors next year," he reveals.