Mani Ratnam talks about Guru, Mallika Sherawat, and clears the air about his alleged problem with Shah Rukh Khan...

As the release of Guru nears, what are your thoughts on it as far as your growth as a filmmaker is concerned?

There is a sense of relief. You have done your film as well as you can. Now, you just let it go. I think I will worry about how I have grown over the years after retirement. Not now.

Guru is another biopic like Nayakan. Abhishek's physical preparation reminds us of Kamal Hasan's rigorous preparation. Did you get a similar level of commitment from both actors?

Absolutely. When Kamal Hasan did Nayakan, he had done a few roles where he looked aged and which demanded a lot of commitment. He was already a veteran and a master. For Abhishek, such physical preparation was a first. He was in a new zone. But he took to the untested waters with tremendous confidence. The result will be there for us to see.

How much do you miss the older generation of actors like Kamal Hasan, Mamoothy and Mohanlal in your recent films?

They are all great. No doubt, it was a pleasure working with them. Such actors make a director's life a lot easier. But it is another high to travel a similar path with the newer lot. The youngsters have grown up watching these masters. The standard has already been set. So the newer lot is trying not just to reach that standard but to cross it. They are intelligent youngsters with exposure to world cinema.

Guru has an unusual cast. What made you sign on unusual suspects like Mallika Sherawat and Mithun Chakraborty?

Mithunda was brilliant to work with. He is so real in his performance. Natural, and with no fuss.

Mallika has done an item song... Is she a commercial add-on? Did she really trouble you during shooting, as it was said she did?

Mallika was very professional. She had to dance to a number in Istanbul in very cold conditions. She did it very well. There was no fuss and no problem whatsoever. She had done a lot of rehearsals before we left for Turkey and worked long hours there in a belly dancer's costume.

How much is it a burden to shoot in an alien language - Hindi?

My Hindi is improving in geometric progression. I started at zero and am gradually climbing up. No, I have not abandoned Tamil, if that is what you're asking. I have done five films after Dil Se, three in Tamil and two in Hindi.

Is it true that you originally wanted Shah Rukh for Guru?

Not at all. Abhishek was the first choice. I would love to do another film with Shah Rukh when I have a subject for him. He is fantastic to work with. He will do anything for a film.

Are biopics like Nayakan, Iruvar and Guru harder to do than fictional films?

All three are fictional. They might have some connections with real-life characters but otherwise they are all novelisations. In fact if you look at other scripts like Mouna Ragam or Saathiya they are also based on real-life characters. You may not know their names and who they are. But they are as true as the guy in Guru.

You've done acutely romantic films like Alai Payuthe and Dil Se. You've also done political parables like Kannattil Muttamatil and Iruvar. Where does Guru figure in your repertoire?

Right in the centre. It is the life-story of a man, his romance with his life, with his ambition in the times of political changes.

How difficult is it to mould huge commercial stars from iconic emblems to characters?

Star or no star, they are all actors. And if they are right for your role then they should be able to slip into the character quite well. The fact that they are stars is something that you take into consideration when you cast them. We just make sure that there is enough in the character to be able to take the burden of the star's popularity.

Your Yuva turned Abhishek's career around. What do you think Guru will do to his career?

Abhishek carries Guru on his shoulder. It's a huge responsibility and he has done it well, in my opinion. Now it is for audiences to tell Abhishek and me how we have done.