Filmmaker Aanand L Rai never feels nervous before any of his films’ release. As we sit down in his Mumbai office, he takes off his shoes and declares, “Now I am in my zone”, and adds that he “enjoys the run-up” to his films being put out for the audience. His latest, Raksha Bandhan, with actor Akshay Kumar in the lead, releases today in theatres, and he is confident. Excerpts:

It happened when we were in the first lockdown. In the 50 years of my life so far, I have never sat at home for two months like this. I realised how we are depriving ourselves of this beautiful bond with family as we get so busy. Those 60 days brought us back to our basics. I wanted to come up with a story that was for the family, a clean family entertainer.

When I started working on Raksha Bandhan, I saw it [from the point of view of] a son, father, husband and felt that we want to go back to our roots. The maker in me got that strength from that. I felt, ‘Let’s talk about love’. What else than family bonding? When you spend time together, that’s the time you don’t think negatively at all. That time with your kids, mother or sister is so beautiful. How can a story that tells you how important love is be boring? Tanu Weds Manu (2011) and Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015) also got a U/A certificate. They were also family films. But I added an extra level of sanitization and got a U certificate for this film.

I wanted those films to release in theatres too, but it was just the uncertainty of those times. If there was still a problem in Raksha Bandhan’s release, however, I’d have again waited for a theatrical. The reason is, I wanted to give an outing to families. There are few films which can give you that happiness, where you bring your kids and parents along with you.

It’s a film coming from the biggest talent in the industry, Aamir sir. I am looking forward to his film. Unfortunately for me, my film is named Raksha Bandhan. How can I let go of Raksha Bandhan on the day of Raksha Bandhan? It’s nice that we have such a big weekend, where two films can do their bit. I hope both films shine on their own merits.

We are transparent. I always say, direction is about striking up a good conversation. What has gone right with us is our middle-class values. I keep talking about it as I thrive on it. The same is with him. He’s not a layered man.