Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari's films are like her simple and real. She made an impact with her directorial debut, Nil Battey Sannata, which won critical acclaim. Her creative genius has found an ideal partner in husband Nitesh Tiwari, who too, delivered a solid punch at the box office with his directorial venture, Dangal. And now, the two have joined hands for the second time on Bareilly Ki Barfi - she as the director and he, as the writer. With the film, produced by Junglee Pictures and BR Studios hitting the screens this Friday, BT caught up with Ashwiny and had an interesting conversation about her journey as a filmmaker, her equation with her husband and why Bareilly Ki Barfi will leave you with a sweet aftertaste. Excerpts...

Bareilly Ki Barfi revolves around an ordinary family in Uttar Pradesh. Your directorial debut Nil Battey Sannata also offered a glimpse of reality. What attracts you to slice-of-life stories?
They are simple, relatable stories. Nil Battey Sannata spoke of a certain class of people and their social dichotomies; it found takers across the board because emotions are universal. Bareilly Ki Barfi is all about love and a bunch of real, happy people. Love doesn't mean being mushy and running around trees. We've attempted a story where apart from romance, we have delved into beautiful equations between a girl and her parents. And like real people, even the characters in this film have their quirks, eccentricities and flaws. Such characters attract me because they add fun to the story without making it look laboured.

Your husband (Nitesh Tiwari) has his roots in Uttar Pradesh. How did you familiarize yourself with its landscape and culture, which are integral to the film's narrative? Did Nitesh's presence as the writer help you in that regard?
I always do extensive research on my films. So, before I started shooting, I spent a lot of time in Lucknow and Bareilly. I met many local boys and girls, observed them and even photographed them to understand their way of dressing, mannerisms and body language. During one of my trips, I actually found two boys who looked like Rajkummar (Rao) and Ayushmann (Khurrana)'s characters in the film. That apart, Nitesh and his co-writer Shreyas Jain are North Indians. While Shreyas is a well-travelled guy from Madhya Pradesh, Nitesh has spent a considerable amount of time in UP and MP. So, yes, their presence made a lot of difference to the way the characters were fleshed out. At the same time, a lot of work happens after a film is written. The set, the look of the characters a and their chemistry have to be bang on to bring out the essence of the script.

As a working mother, with two kids at home, did you find it tough to stay away, especially since Bareilly Ki Barfi's schedules were longer than those of your first film, Nil Battey Sannata?
It doesn't matter how long I've had to stay away from home. My sentiments will never change. I'm always assured that Nitesh is around, but maa toh maa hoti hai. Having said that, women should work, become independent, and follow their passions. In the bargain, children also become independent and more respectful of their mother and her time. They understand that their mother is also ambitious and learn to value her presence in their lives. I have also realized that children accommodate a lot. They adjust with what you give them, which is also right - they should mould their lives and needs around their parents the way their parents do for them.

Both Nitesh and you are creative people. Do you ever end up having creative differences?
I don't think there will be creative differences between us, there will only be healthy discussions. While Nitesh is a strong writer, I'm good at art. I can probably do a screenplay well, but his strength lies in drafting the entire film on paper. So, we have each other's back, and we work on our plus points. Having a writer at home, I feel a sense of ease while talking about an idea because we both know that we will not judge each other. A bouncing board at home is a privilege. Nil Battey Sannata happened over a cup of morning chai. Similarly, Bareilly Ki Barfi is an idea we cracked on a vacation. It's a connection that happens instantly. We can work with outsiders, but there will always be a time lapse there.

So, you do take Nitesh's presence for granted?
Of course, I do. I don't feel guilty about it. He is my bouncing board and will always be, no matter who we work with. When I get ideas, I message him and I don't care where he is, and likewise for him. He gets confused with colours and artwork and he asks me to chip in, which I do. We don't have anyone else to go to. We may get bugged temporarily, but it's the comfort that draws us to just fall back on each other's shoulders.

Bareilly Ki Barfi is just two days away from release. Considering the fact that this is just your second film, are you feeling anxious?
I can't deny that there's pressure, but I will feel so even after I have made my tenth film. It doesn't matter how many films you make - you are only as good as your last film. I feel a sense of responsibility for the money people will spend to watch my film; I don't want to let them down. That's the reason I treat every film as my debut. I don't let the fear of failure rule my mind when I am working because it distracts me. However, after I've made a film, I'm anxious about audience's reaction.