After Hum Tum and Fanaa, director Kunal Kohli is back with his new film, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic. He clears the air about rumours that his film was inspired from Mary Poppins, Nanny McPhee and Hum Hai Rahi Pyaar Ke.
He talks to Patcy N and gives us a sneak preview into the film.

How did the idea of Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic come into your mind?

Contrary to the popular belief, it is not by watching a DVD of Mary Poppins, Nanny McPhee or Hum Hai Rahi Pyaar Ke. I don?t know why you're not given credit if you think of something on your own.

I was thinking about what happens to us when we are in trouble. Who helps us out? Who comes into our lives and makes it better? How come sometimes, when we are really going through a bad phase, something happens and makes life better. There is some magic in our lives. And we are not talking about magicians. There is a guardian angel looking after us. Most of the time, the angel is amongst us, and it could be anyone. That's how the story started developing.

What is the film about?

The film is about four orphans, who are very angry with Saif. They plot revenge against Saif. Mary Poppins and Nanny McPhee don't have four orphans. In Hum Hai Rahi Pyaar Ke, the kids don't hate Aamir, and there's no angel either.

There are about nine or 13 main stories, and everything comes within that parameter. So it's unfair to say that a film is copied. You can draw parallels to the film after you watch it, I'm fine with that.

You found it difficult to think of a good title for the film. Why?

I wanted a title which said something about our lives, not only about the film. I want to believe that Thoda Pyaar will touch people, as it is a heart warming film.

After watching the film, you should say, 'Kash mere zindagi mein bhi thoda pyaar thoda magic hota.'

So who helped you with the title?

I was working on the film's promo, where Rishi Kapoor's voice says, 'Hum sab ki zindagi main thodi pyaas honi chahiye, unhe mitane ke liye hume chahiye thodi si madat, thoda sa pyaar, thoda sa magic'. So the publicity designer picked up those lines and put it on the logo. That's how we got Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic.

How does the angel enter the lives of the children?
I cannot reveal too much. She comes to help Saif and the kids, as they don't get along. In a subtle sense, it is about adoption.

Tell us about Saif's character.

Saif plays a rich industrialist, who is only concerned about work. He is a loner, and likes staying alone. Amisha Patel has a guest appearance. She has a sexy song in the film.

Would you say that this is a message oriented film?

Yes, but it in an entertaining way. Like the Munnabhai series and Taare Zameen Par.

Bhoothnath, releasing this week, also has children and magic, like your film. Do you think the two films will affect each other?

I don't think so. Films survive with each other quite beautifully. And my film will release after two months.

I hope both Bhoothnath and my film do well. Amitabh Bachchan, who stars in Bhoothnath, is the best of our generation. So I don't want to even compare my film with his. I have not seen the film but from what I hear, the essence of both films is different. Bhoothnath is about a friendly ghost, nothing like my film.

I was talking about the children and the magic in both the films.

Every film has romance, that doesn't mean two romantic films won't work side by side. Having a similar theme or genre is not a negative or a plus point for any film.

Your first film, Mujse Dosti Karoge, was a love triangle. Your second, Hum Tum, was a love story, and the third, Fanna, on terrorism. Now, a children's film?
Will you call Mr India a children's film? I think not. Fanaa was a love story, against the backdrop of terrorism.

But yes, all my films have different subjects, and I am happy about that.

Why did you repeat your Hum Tum cast, Rani and Saif?

It was an honour working with Kajol. But she was tied up with her home production, U Me Aur Hum. That's why we didn't even approach her. Aamir was also tied up. But I thought that this story was more suited for Saif. Whenever you put Saif in a new environment and role -- whether it is Dil Chahta Hai, Hum Tum, Parineeta, Omkara or Race -- he is always outshines. But if you repeat him, he is excellent but he doesn't shine over the others. I thought Saif would be very interesting in this role.

Sometimes, you don't get first or second choice. But your final choice turns out to be the best. Saif was the first choice for Thoda Pyaar but he wasn't for Hum Tum. We went to Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Vivek Oberoi. After that, we went to Saif. But now, you can't think of Hum Tum without Saif

Rani is a very talented actress.

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