Wake Up Sid makes Ayan very nervous

Ayan Mukerji looks straight out of a university, but he's not. He's the debutante director of Karan Johar's talked-about, keenly-anticipated film Wake Up Sid. Barely in his 20s, Ayan belongs to the famed Mukerji clan and has assisted Ashutosh Gowaiker (Swades) and Karan Johar (Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna) in the past, before he decided to take the plunge.

Wake Up Sid is slated for release next week and Ayan is nervous. "Very, very nervous," he smiles, "I don't know how people would react to the film. This film is different." It sure is. Right from the casting to its plotline, Ayan has taken a completely new route in his debut film. In fact, this is also the first Karan Johar production that has been filmed entirely in Mumbai (Karan's films are shot in Europe or America). "But Wake Up Sid is a Karan Johar product at heart," Ayan tells me.

Ayan can't thank Karan enough for backing the project the moment he heard the story. "He took a call vis-a-vis producing the film within minutes of hearing the plot. Having him as the producer is only advantageous. He has been a marvellous guiding force," Ayan adds.

What is Ayan planning next? "I've no clue. I haven't though of it at all. I feel exhausted after making this film and I feel I would need to nurture myself, read a book or two or travel before I plan my next film," he states.