"Anjaana Anjaana is my little baby" - Siddharth Anand

In recent times, other than Sanjay Gadhvi the only filmmaker who has completed his three film stint with Yash Raj Films and ventured into a different production house is Siddharth Anand. While Sanjay went on to make Kidnap after his Dhoom series coupled with Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai, Siddharth completed a hat trick of success in Salaam Namaste, Ta Ra Rum Pum and Bachna Ae Haseeno before stepping into Anjaana Anjaani.

No wonder, after a decade long association with the banner (Siddharth had worked as an Assistant Director at Yash Raj Films for 5 years before getting his big break with Salaam Namaste), Siddharth wanted to convince himself multiple times before picking on a banner.

"I wanted to work with someone who didn't carry any greed and wasn't corrupt when it came to money matters", says Siddharth who is one of the youngest successful directors around today, "If I had to venture out of the comfort zone of Yash Raj Films, I had to look for that umbrella and cushion that could take care of me. I wanted someone to be as passionate as Adi (Aditya Chopra) when it came to making films and I saw that in Sajid (Nadiadwala)."

Not many know that it was Siddharth himself who approached Sajid to produce the film for him.

"I have closely watched Sajid's involvement as a producer and what he brings to the table", says Siddharth, "He doesn't make films for the heck of it. With the reputation that he has built over the years, he could have been making multiple films every year but he never did that. If you look at his success record, it is phenomenal. He is someone who makes films with a lot of conviction."

He is quick to add though that it is a mutually beneficial situation for both Siddharth as well as Sajid when it comes to making a film. When questioned if he felt 'fortunate' enough to get a backing from Sajid, he says quickly with a smile, "If I would have come with two flops behind me then perhaps yes, I would have felt a lot more fortunate. I am glad though that Sajid realised I was good and hence we could make this film together."

Nevertheless, coming back to the original topic of venturing out to a new production house for his first film outside Yash Raj Films, has the experience been any different?

"I felt that I was working in my dad's company", laughs Siddharth, "Ab isse Hindi mein bolunga to thoda kharaab lagega but the fact is that I had so much of freedom during making of Anjaana Anjaani that I truly felt like being in my home-ground. Anjaana Anjaana is my little baby and it was good of Sajid to assign me the responsibility of making such a big film. I am sure he wouldn't have done that if he didn't have faith in me."

He adds as a final note, "There was no interference from Sajid or anyone else from the production house. Also, the kind of person I am, if there was any interference you would have heard about it. I may not be arrogant as a person but I am very arrogant when it comes to my film."