Barely four films old, but director and music composer Vishal Bhardwaj commands a respect in the industry, few filmmakers can boast of.

Three years since his last outing as a director, Vishal is now looking forward to Kaminey. Preferring to stay away from the party circuit, the still desi-at-heart filmmaker believes that only work should do all the talking. Though he admits that he still has to get used to the filmi ways, here we get the director of films like Maqbool and Omkara to talk about the filmi things that really matter.

It’s been three years since your last film Omkara...

I was waiting for the right script. There was also another project with Franka Potente that we were working on, but it didn’t materialise. The film had kept me busy for long.

So have you shelved Julia?

No, I will soon take up the film again. It’s disheartening to see when projects close to your heart don’t work out, but my struggle here has sort of prepared me to take such disappointments in my stride. But I don’t give up easily either.

How challenging is it to have the lead play double role?

It is technically very challenging, but creatively very satisfying. In Kaminey we had access to better technology than we had for Makdee, so it was easier.

What made you sign Shahid Kapoor for Kaminey?

Shahid has tremendous potential as an actor and I had seen a spark in him. I just knew he could do it and he didn’t disappoint me. He fit the character perfectly. He has this hunger to work, to excel and an enthusiastic approach that everyone on the sets caught on (smiles).

The film is a far cry from your earlier films. Was there a risk involved with this one?

There is always a risk involved in filmmaking, but that makes our job so creatively stimulating. I have never attempted this genre before and it was fun doing such a hardcore absolutely masala entertainer. It’ll even give Shakespeare some breathing time.

How is the chemistry between Shahid and Priyanka Chopra ?

Both are brilliant actors. They complement each other really well on screen.

You are known to be very intense and broody...

It depends on which phase of filmmaking you catch me in. I am usually the happiest in the scripting phase.

And during direction?

I can’t stop cursing myself enough in that phase (laughs). I often look at myself in the mirror and wonder what made me get into this. But jokes apart, I think once you see the end product, it’s the same joy a mother feels after giving birth to a baby. All the nine months of pain and discomfort instantly forgotten.

How important is success to you?

A lot, if that success helps me to have enough freedom to chose and allows me to work on my own terms, it is important. I value that more than fame and recognition, which is only an incentive for me.