'I am in labour pain,' says Rakeysh

After Rang De Basanti, everybody wondered what next?
And today he���s ready to present his next labour of love to the world. Filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra���s much talked about Delhi 6 will now be ready to capture the collective imagination of movie-goers. While talking to Ahmedabad Times, he says, ���My life gets reflected in my work.��� Here are some excerpts from the interview.
Delhi 6 recreates a part of your own youth in Chandni Chowk (Delhi). Would you term this work as ���personal���?
The film is very personal. It has my childhood memories but I have represented it with today���s reality. Rang De Basanti had my college memories. I have my past experiences which are engraved in my mind. So naturally they will reflect in my work.
After the success of Rang De... people do expect a lot out of this film. Do you think it will meet all these expectations?
It is bound to happen. I hope I don���t disappoint the audience. RBD was for the youngsters and this film is for the family audience. It has romance and drama. I have given my best. The entire team has worked hard and now I leave it to my audience.
How did you zero down on Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor for the lead characters?
Abhishek was my first choice. For the character of Roshan (He is a young American of Indian origin who comes to India for his grandmother), Abhishek fitted the bill. For the female lead, I was looking for a fresh face that can fit an Indian middle class girl���s character. Many girls came for audition. Then a friend of mine suggested Sonam and I met her. We sat for six hours and I narrated the story to her. I knew she was the one.
You were really possessive about Rang De... Do you have the same feeling for Delhi 6?
I hope I get attached to every movie that I do. For a mother every child is important.
How are you feeling right now as your film is going to be released soon?
I feel as if I am in labour pain and I mean it. Like every mother, I also want my child (read film) to be healthy, perfect and have sound mind and body. And now it would be for the world to see it and it will have its own personality and growth.
Is your wife P S Bharati also a part of this film?
My wife is the creative producer and casting director of this film. She is also editing the film. Delhi 6 is actually made on the editing table, so I would say it���s an editing craft.
How do you feel when Hollywood filmmakers show interest in Indian subjects like in the film Slumdog Millionaire?
I am very thrilled that such things are happening. It will put India on a global map.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I have a wish list to do but unfortunately I end up working. I love holidaying with my children, scuba diving. I love to cook, and kitchen is my comfort area in my house. I don���t watch movies much but music is my love.