Sajid Khan turns director with Akshay Kumar, Fardeen

Mumbai, Oct 17 (IANS) He is known as the sharp-tongued funny-man on television. Now Sajid Khan is ready to turn director - much like sister Farah, who made "Main Hoon Na", and brother-in-law Shrish Kunder, whose "Jaan-E-Mann" releases Friday.

He begins his career with a yet untitled movie that will feature Akshay Kumar, Fardeen Khan, his buddy Riteish Deshmukh and the quickly-on-the-rise Vidya Balan. Family friend Sajid Nadiadwala, who has produced Kunder's "Jaan-E-Man", will be producing the film.

"Why do you say only Riteish in my film's cast is my buddy?" Sajid started off defensively.

"I'm very friendly with all the stars. I've never encountered any star ego ever. Even on television as an anchor I may be sharp-tongued with them. But they know it's all in fun," Sajid told IANS.

When would Sajid find the time to make a film?

"Why not? I am not a TV actor. I'm an anchor. I don't work on television round the clock. I've enough time to do what I want. And, yes, directing a film is what seems like the right thing to do right now. I hope I make a good film. And, before you ask, a good film is one that I'd see three years from now and not cringe.

"I can't say I want to make a film my kids would be proud of, since I don't think I'll have any. But I want to look at it and say, 'F*** what a film!'"

Interestingly, Sajid has already directed a portion of Ram Gopal Varma's segmented horror flick "Darna Zaroori Hai".

"That was just one-sixth of the film," he said.

Some years ago, Sajid had faced the camera for Hrishikesh Mukherjee's "Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate" but he has no plans of casting himself in the film.

Sajid is reluctant to reveal further details of his film.

"We're going through various drafts of my script. We're definitely starting the film towards the end of the year."

When I tell him it's bound to surprise audiences and have the critics sharpening their claws, Sajid replied, "I'm aware that I'd be scrutinised carefully. But I don't care, as long as I know I make a good film. A good film never fails. Though the inverse isn't true. Bad films do work sometimes."

One thing is for sure. Going by his track record on television, Sajid can never make a boring film.

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