Diwali 2007. Farah Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali were engaged in a war of words that gave new meaning to their (November 9) releases Om Shanti Om and Saawariya respectively. Both directors were themselves going all out to promote their films because their stars, Deepika Padukone, and Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor respectively, were newcomers not exposed to the screen and nor to the wily ways of the media. So busy Farah and Bhansali were not about to be drawn into comparisons between their craft, their films, and their cast. If Bhansali was asked about Farah and Om Shanti Om by any interviewer, the director would end the interview by joining his hands and taking his leave. And when Farah was put any question about Bhansali and Saawariya, she would reply that she was only promoting Om Shanti Om and nothing else! Yet, in a coup of sorts, I managed to convince both directors to put aside their rivalry for just a short while in the week of their releases and do just that for Bombay Times – talk about the other director and his or her film. Ten years later, what they said bears repetition.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Farah Khan and Om Shanti Om:

I love Farah a little more than she loves me. A film here or there won’t really change the equation we’ve shared for so many years. There’s no rivalry, but yes, there was a misunderstanding and I was hurt because I have always respected Farah. We go back a long way. We started our careers together in 1942: A Love Story (in 1994). It has been a tough journey for us without any godfathers.

But 13 years later, we are releasing our own films. We have laughed, joked and had our share of problems, but we are aware of each other’s evolvement. Of course, I am going to see Om Shanti Om in a week or so, but this Diwali should be a double bonanza for viewers, and there ought to be double the amount of firecrackers burst. Why should there be competition? Let the audience enjoy this wonderful moment of two big films coming together and I pray that both of them create a dhamaka. Everyone should be happy and merry. Films come and go, but good relationships with people remain, and I cherish my friendship with Farah.

Farah Khan on Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Saawariya:

As it is I am stressed out... I have a film and triplets to deliver (she gave birth in February 2008)... to be bothered about Sanjay. There is no tension between him and me. But you can say I am too focused on my four babies to be worried about somebody else’s. Being a big film buff, I will be seeing Saawariya in the next ten days. I haven’t missed any of Sanjay’s films. But my condition doesn’t allow me to sit in one place for long and it will be difficult for me to watch my own film in the theatre. There’s no feud with Sanjay. It’s all media hype. It’s natural for a filmmaker to be stressed out about another big release around the same time. Sanjay and I are no exceptions. Once both the films are released, we will be back to our normal, happy grind. Should I wish him luck? Sanjay is a far bigger and better director than I am, he should wish me! He has made a far bigger film than mine. I need his prayers.