I wanted John to go full on: Karan Johar

The trend of a Dharma Production doing particularly well in cities has continued with Dostana too, right?
I have great faith in my audience and even while making Dostana, we knew that the film is mainly looking at big cities business.

We understand the kind of demographics we were catering at. This is why in the overseas too it has been such a big success. I am particularly gladdened by the fact that despite recession, the film has performed globally.

All those talks of economic meltdown affecting film business as well have been evaporated with the collections of Dostana which has taken one of the best opening weeks in last so many months.

But did you actually see such success coming?
The responses I received on Day One made sure that Dostana was headed in the right direction. Of course every movie comes with feedback which represents two sides of the same coin.

Even in case of Dostana, there was positive as well as negative feedback. Some loved it but some hated it too. That's ok, its show business and this is why we are here for.

What is overwhelming is that those who loved the movie far surpassed the ones who didn't. The collections for the films only convey the same!

So how much does the success of Dostana eventually mean to you?
It absolutely means a lot to me because first and foremost it is a validation of all the hard work from the team.

Also, the brand image that Dharma Productions stands for has been taken care of after Dostana. I had to maintain a quality of production house and I am glad that the film has only added on to it.

You would agree though that at the end of the day you were trying to make a statement; isn't it?
I am very proud if I have actually been able to make a statement. See, you have to walk carefully because in the end, you don't want things to be sensationalized. Also, we didn't want a subject like this to become controversial. In the end, I am happy that 'Dostana' has been accepted all over since it has come in the time when so movies are made that are formulaic but don't quite succeed.

For Abhishek too, it has been some redemption, especially after the failure of 'Drona'!
Abhishek comes with an exemplary comic timing and I am glad that the film has tapped it really well. It is indeed his finest performance till date.

However, one can't ignore the fact that the chemistry between him and John was so integral to the film. This is why I have always maintained that without him and John being comfortable, 'Dostana' wouldn't have been what it is today. They had a great rapport on the sets and it showed.

Beyond the obvious drool factor, did you actually believe that John would be able to deliver as an actor as well?
My film is about a gay couple. The two men had to be macho and yet come with a great sense of humor.

John just fitted the bill since beneath a great body, he also has a good comic timing. I had seen him in Garam Masala and knew that he would fit in well. Priyadarshan did tap his comic side slightly but I wanted him to go full on.

I knew from my heart that John could be very funny. I just told Tarun that 'hey, let's go and get on John. He can pull on comedy.' The next thing we knew, he was on board!

Bobby's presence in the film has met with a mixed response though.
I respect your point of view but then as a filmmaker you can't always cater to everyone's sensibilities. If you ask me, it was a tough role for Bobby to play and he pulled it off rather amazingly well. He was so sincere and his dedication showed. He brings in a certain dignity to the proceedings.

Second half v/s first half debate has been on as well. It has been unanimously acknowledged that first half is a riot though things are just not the same in the second half.
There have been point of views and there will be point of views. I respect them all. At the end of the day, the whole package is meant to entertain you and in this context, Dostana has succeeded, isn't it?

Look at it this way. The film is about life, love and friendship and while between the two halves of the film, each of these elements had to make their presence felt. This is why I stand by every frame of the film. After all, creativity follows its own process, right?

Dharma Productions now has two successful films with the same title. Quite some lucky coincidence, right?
Yes, it does feel good that more than 20 years after our earlier 'Dostana' (Amitabh Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha), this one too is a success.

We had a very successful 'Dostana' earlier and hence it was an important title for us as well. We couldn't have afforded to get the production house down in case we were not able to justify the title. Now it is another success for Dharma Productions so I am indeed ecstatic about this fact.

How are you looking at sustaining the film's golden run in weeks to come? Are you through with the promotion and letting people do the talking or are you continuing to pump in money?
Audience word of mouth has been extremely positive which has made possible for the film to garner consistently good collections.

This is why I am so much looking forward to bountiful of collections in this weekend. However, I am not lying low on the promotional machinery. It will continue to be on a higher end.

Marketing team has really pitched the movie very well amongst the audience and we are going to make sure that there is no relaxation on that front in next few weeks at least.

'Yuuvraaj' has released over the weekend. Some competition in the offering?
I don't even want it to look as competition. There is no question of any bad vibes for any of the two movies. Subhashji is a film maker of grand repute and it is not in my DNA to think negatively about the work of other people.

There is no biggie till 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' arrives on 12th December. That must be some relief.
I am happy for the four weeks window that I am getting. This should help the figures of 'Dostana'. 'Rab Ne...' is huge and I hope that my film makes the most of the days leading to it's release. - Joginder Tuteja