SRK used to call Amitji 'dada'

Debutant director Vivek Sharma, whose film Bhoothnath hits theatres on May 9, has pulled off the proverbial casting coup. His film brings together the likes of Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan after Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

Nowadays many filmmakers are making movies for children, how different is Bhootnath from the rest?

First of all, Bhoothnath is not a children's film. It's a wholesome entertainment film. I have made this movie keeping in mind an audience across all age groups. From Big B to SRK to Juhi to Aman, everybody will enjoy my film.

Did you write Bhoothnath keeping Amitabh Bachchan in mind or was he cast because he's a crowd puller?

I wrote the script after seeing the Surf Advance ad on TV. I loved Big B as the principal and Aman as the student in it. I told my co-writer Sudhanshu Dubey to write a script keeping these two in mind – Bachchan as the ghost and Aman as the kiddo. I really did not know at that time that they would end up being a part of my film. It was a mere coincidence. When I narrated the script to Ravi Chopra he gave me some tips and asked me to narrate it to Amitji (laughs). I did not know who that was and asked Raviji who Amitji was. I messaged Mr Bachchan for the narration never for once believing that he would want to work with me. But he really liked my script and confirmed his dates within three months.

How did you enter the BR Films camp, since other directors are generally not granted an entry?

I would say the timing was good. I approached Raviji when he was planning to give a break to other directors. And my co-writer told me about that. I didn't have Ravi's number, so I called Rani Mukerji. She was shooting for Baabul at Film City. She helped me in getting in touch with Ravi Chopra.

Everyone knows that Bhoothnath has both SRK and Bachchan. But more prominence has been given to Big B in all the promos. Would you like to comment on that?

Shah Rukh has a special appearance in the movie, whereas Amitji is playing the title role. The film is about him and the child so it's only natural that I concentrate on the two of them initially. Wait for some time; you'll get to see SRK as well.