Onir, who has just come back to Mumbai, after shooting Sorry Bhai in Mauritius says that he couldn’t be a happier person.

Not just did he enjoy every minute of being behind the camera months after he helmed it last for Bas Ek Pal, his dream of working with all time favourite actor, Shabana Azmi, came true.

“Since the time I started film making, I had two people in my mind who were a part of my dream cast — Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah. With Sorry Bhai, one part of my dream has come true. Now I hope to direct Naseeruddin Shah soon,” smiled Onir, whose debut directorial effort My Brother Nikhil is still remembered for its path breaking subject and treatment.

Onir admits that he was nervous whether Shabana Azmi would accept his invitation to work with him in Sorry Bhai.

“I was apprehensive if Shabana would be willing to work with me. However, it wasn’t difficult at the end of the day and once she was on board, I knew I had a film in hand which would strike a chord with the audience,” the director said.

Was it difficult for Onir when it came to explaining the character’s nuances to the veteran actor?

“On the contrary it was just the opposite. She comes with such good inputs and doesn’t hesitate in letting the director know about what she thinks of the scene and the way the character is required to behave. However, it can hardly be termed as interference,”
defended Onir.

Reflecting on his first brush with Shabana, he said fondly, “In my view, having someone like Shabana only adds to the scene. She firmly believes that after a point of view has been explained, it should be left to the director to call the shots. Same was the case with me. Once I gathered all feedback from the actors around me, I took a final call on what worked best for the film,” he said.