Khans choose their directors: Nikhil Advani

New Delhi: Filmmaker Nikhil Advani is gearing for the release of his latest venture 'Katti Batti'. He is one of the luckiest few who have not one but two films lined up in one month. After 'Hero' will hit the screens on September 11, 'Katti Batti' will release worldwide on the 18th of the same month.

The director was recently quoted as saying that, "both Salman and Aamir sat on the edit table for "Hero" and "Katti Batti", respectively. Both say the same things to present things in a clear way in the film. This is what I have learnt from them."

Nikhil directed Shah Rukh in "Kal Ho Na Ho" and Salman in "Salaam-E-Ishq". Aamir has helped him with his upcoming film "Katti Batti".

"I think the greatest strength that Shah Rukh has an actor is when he approaches a scene he knows he is going to be fantastic, but he tries how to make everybody else fantastic. He is very selfless as an actor," he said.

Nikhil has no plans to direct any of the Khans in near future. "They (Khans) choose their directors... Directors don't choose them," he said.

The director says has no qualms about taking help from superstars for his films. "When I am taking help of Salman and Aamir for a film, it doesn't mean that I am demeaning myself as a director. They give me a feel that it is a collaborative effort. Rishi Kapoor and Raj Kapoor used to show their films to watchman so who am I? I have learnt all these things from them," he said.

Nikhil has directed Salman's upcoming home production "Hero", which marks the acting debut of Suniel Shetty's daughter Athiya and Aditya Pancholi's son Sooraj.
The "D Day" director reveals that Salman was very much involved in almost every aspect of the project.

"He was involved in choosing Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty. He did contribute for music... He has sung a song. He was there for the edit," he said.

On his association with Aamir, he said, "Aamir is very much involved with "Katti Batti". I had narrated "Katti Batti" to Aamir a year back and he gave me 15 points for the changes. He said he did not like the story and did not like the film. I was disheartened." Later, Aamir called up Nikhil and asked him to change a certain thing in the film.

"I made the change. One year later when I showed him the film he was crying and said he saved my film. The last 20 minutes of the film is dedicated to Aamir Khan," he said.
"According to Aamir, this film is Imran's best performance and he called up Kangana and said she is outstanding. He asked me to bring clarity in the film and he sat with me on the edit and in a week we made the changes," Nikhil said. 

(With PTI inputs)