Ashutosh Gowariker had just called timeout after wrapping up an action sequence for his last release, the Hrithik Roshan-starrer, Mohenjo Daro, when his cinematog rapher C K Muraleedharan came to him with the story of a Marathi film Rajesh Mapuskar was writing. “He wants me to produce his film?“ Ashutosh enquired, stumped when told that Rajesh wanted him to play one of the protagonists. Rajesh, who made his directorial debut with Ferrari Ki Sawaari in 2012, told Mirror, “He couldn't believe it when I told him that I'd written the character with him in mind. I wanted an actor with no baggage, but someone tall, with a personality. He pointed out that he was filming Mohenjo Daro and had no time to shoot.“

They exchanged notes for six months and Ashutosh finally agreed to a 15-day schedule. “He had started the post-production on Mohenjo Daro and would shoot for us before returning to his edit,“ says Rajesh, adding that the 52-year-old filmmaker earned the moniker of “Aamcha Ashu“ owing to his unassuming ways. “I had just 34 days to complete the film. Ashutosh always came prepared and reminded me of the nuances of his character when they slipped my mind. He's so energetic in front of the camera.“

He's happy to reunite Ashutosh and Ventilator producer, Priyanka Chopra who had featured in the 2009 drama, What's Your Raashee?, which Ashutosh directed and co-produced, playing 12 characters modelled after the 12 zodiac signs. Earlier this year, Priyanka released her Bhojpuri film, Bum Bum Bol Raha Hai Kashi, and has six other regional films lined up for 2017.

“Priyanka is as good a producer as Ashutosh is an actor. I thought she'd be really busy as she's shooting her TV show, Quantico, in New York, and is a huge international star but she was always available on phone and e-mail. She wanted to see all the creatives, including the posters and teaser,“ Rajesh informs, joking that PeeCee's mom, Madhu Chopra, was constantly monitoring the film's progress, reporting every detail back to her daughter. “When a rumour started that Madhuji is acting in the film, she was so embarrassed. We hope to see her do something fun soon.“

Ventilator is set in a hospital and has an ensemble cast of over 20 quirky characters. Rajesh grew up in a joint family of 68 members and enjoys the chaos surrounding women in saris, kitchen politics and bed room melodrama.“Priyanka loved the concept. The mother-daughter duo have money and the power and could've produced a Bollywood film instead. It's a small step for PeeCee but a big one for Marathi films,“ he signs off.