After working as a production assistant in Hollywood films like The Ice Storm, Addicted To Love, A Perfect Murder and Flawless, he came back home to work with Ashutosh Gowarikar as the chief assistant director of Lagaan. With his first dud Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost way behind him, director Apoorva Lakhia is all ready with his next film Ek Ajnabee.

You are having a film released after a long time. Where had you been?
My first film didn't get the response I was expecting. So I wanted to see where I wanted to go with my next film. I believe the second film is always the one that establishes you. So I was waiting, writing scripts until Ek Ajnabee came along.

Your first film Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost had a rural background while Ek Ajnabee is totally cosmopolitan. How was the transition?
My first film did not work so I had to evaluate what kind of film I want to tell the public. So I decided to make something modern, something based on the surroundings I have grown up in, the language I speak, something I'm more comfortable with. Mr. Bachchan came on board and then we worked on Arjun's (Rampal) looks.

What is Ek Ajnabee about?
It is about a man who has lived his life, had his traumas and tried to face them. He is called to Bangkok to be with his best friend Arjun and how he has to bodyguard a nine-year-old girl and how through her eyes, he sees life in a different way. He realizes that his problems are not as important as problems of other people around.

How was the experience of working with Mr. Bachchan?
He is like an institution. It was intimidating because I know one thing for a fact that he did this film to give me a second chance. It was a big weight on my shoulders. Firstly, because he is Mr. Bachchan, secondly he is my best friend's father and thirdly, not many youngsters get to work with him. It was a matter of doing my homework, which we were pretty good at. My producer supported me to the fullest because we went to Bangkok five times before we started shooting the film. Our groundwork was laid and I told my crew that there should not be a point where we appear clueless, so if you don't know anything just give an answer. It worked out pretty well because Mr. Bachchan brings an aura where everything he does is perfect and professional. In a way it rubbed off on the actors because of which we did not have any tantrum shows on the sets.

Tell us about the performances of all of the actors?
Mr. Bachchan is like god. He is doing action after a very long time. Arjun had a distinct role and he looks really hot with his long hair and tattoos. He is one of the best action heroes we have in the country and our action sequences are more realistic than flying off buildings and stuff. Vikram Chatwal plays Perizaad's husband and is a friend of mine. He has come across very well and so has Perizaad. Rucha has done a wonderful job. We auditioned about 70 children. My editor told me about Rucha because he had edited her film Main Aisa Hi Hoon and we called her in, screen tested her and that's how she came aboard. She had more confidence than someone who is older than her age and that is what I wanted.

How about the music?
Amar Mohile has done the music. He is a friend of mine and did the background score of Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost. The score is phenomenal. As guest composers we have Vishal-Shekhar and they did the song 'Mama Told Me' which is getting a pretty good response in the market.

Finally, what is the USP of the film?
I think the USP of any film in which Amitabh is acting is Amitabh. Apart from that the look of the film is great as well.