Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; September 1, 2014)

Sai Kabir, who started his career with Saeed Mirza 21 years ago, has now managed to get him to write the script for his upcoming film, Divine Lovers, which stars Kangna Ranaut and Irrfan in lead roles. “He is like my guru; whatever I have learnt today is because of him. In fact, I landed in Mumbai only to assist him. So whenever I wish to make an important decision in life, I seek his advice. When I was in talks with producers in France, I was in touch with him and he was very happy to see my work. He is always available to his students,” says Sai.

Saeed Mirza’s last film as a director was Ek Tho Chance that was supposed to release in 2009. “He heard my film’s story and he loved it. I was overwhelmed by his response. He stays in Goa and has already started working on the film’s script. I will be visiting him and we will soon begin work on the film. His wisdom has really helped me and I am fortunate that he has agreed to be part of my film. Moreover, this is his first project in five years.”

When contacted, Saeed Mirza confirmed the story. “This film is like Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s novel, Love in the Time of Cholera. It is about the impossibility of love and yet somehow there is a love. I liked this concept,” he said.