Akshay Kumar felt we could be successful directors: Sajid-Farhad

Mumbai: Writer duo Sajid-Farhad, who have recently taken to film direction, credit Bollywood star Akshay Kumar for encouraging them to work behind the camera.

Sajid and Farhad Samji have become Bollywood`s most bankable writers thanks to their witty one liners in super hit films like `Bol Bachchan`, `Housefull 2`, `Ready`, `Golmaal Returns` and `Golmaal 3`, among others. After achieving success as writers, the duo have taken to film direction with their first venture `It`s Entertainment`. "We never thought of direction... It just happened. We came in the industry as lyricists, then became dialogue writers, then wrote screenplays and stories. We learnt a lot and kept growing. So direction became the next step eventually," Sajid-Farhad told reporters. The film stars Akshay in the lead and the duo feel they couldn`t have asked for anything better. "Akshay is a fantastic actor and a great human being. We worked with him in `Housefull 2` and he was impressed with our work. He invited us to write the screenplay, story and dialogues of `Boss` (Akshay`s just released film). We interacted with him on almost daily basis," Sajid-Farhad said. "He liked our work and one day suggested to direct a film. He felt we could be great directors. Initially, we were surprised and asked him to act in the film that we would direct," the duo said. They, however, maintain roping in top stars in a debut film is not a recipe for success. "Whatever films we have worked on, have been super hit because the story was good. The script is soul of a film. If the story is not entertaining then it will not work despite having a big star." "We want our child (debut film) to grow. We have groomed it and worked on it, we hope through our film we are able to spread happiness," they added. South actress Tamannaah is paired opposite Akshay in `It`s Entertainment`. The duo had worked with her in Sajid Khan`s `Himmatwala`.