Tum Bin will always be special for Bhushan Kumar and Anubhav Sinha. It marked their debut in Bollywood, as producer and writer-director, respectively. Sixteen years later, as the duo is all set for the release of Tum Bin 2, BT met them for a chat. Here are excerpts from the rendezvous over cups of chai.

Sixteen years have passed since Tum Bin marked your debut. What memories do you have of the film?
Bhushan: I was 23 and had just taken over the business. At that time, Anubhav was making great music videos for us. We thought we could weave a story around some well-shot songs, but Anubhav wanted a beautiful story laced with soulful tracks.
Anubhav: I narrated the film's story to him. He gave me Rs 11 as shagun, which he did this time, too.

Could you have made that film better?
Bhushan: No, it was perfect.
Anubhav: I would have slashed 15 minutes from it. Also, I would have cut the cost by at least Rs 50 lakh.

How has your friendship evolved over the years?
Anubhav: We never had any professional conflict and our friendship is based on loyalty and trust. I don't think even marriages work for 20 years these days.
Bhushan: It's a bond beyond friendship. I have never told people what Anubhav means to me.
Anubhav: He helped me buy my house when I didn't have enough money. He also gave me work so that I don't have to depend on him for anything.

What have you learnt from each other?
Anubhav: When it comes to work, Bhushan is as passionate as Shah Rukh Khan. He takes personal interest in the smallest of things and is frugal with money.
Bhushan: He's creative, but keeps the cost under check. He's honest and hard-working.

Tum Bin 2, produced by Bhushan Kumar and Anubhav Sinha, releases today.