Farah narrates, “We took hundreds of dancers and went to Darjeeling. The dancers were not just used in the songs they also doubled up as junior artists. Students never had the chance of having hot water.” We used to eat our meals in the mess.” She also adds, “We fitted the dormitories with heaters. We would all go there, say a prayer and then come out. Except for Shah Rukh and Sushmita, all my hundred dancers lived in the school dormitories.”įarah says how the team formed a bond with the place instantly, “There was a church in the campus. And it used to freezing cold in December in Darjeeling. But the only condition was that we shoot in December when the kids are on holiday. And they gave it to us completely for free! I went and spoke with the Father and he was so happy. So I finally I found the Mera Naam Joker place – St Paul’s School in Darjeeling. I wanted a campus which might be upmarket but still, seems like a campus of this country. Also, I didn’t want a campus that is unearthly, and doesn’t feel authentic. So I did call Daboo uncle as I couldn’t find that place. After all, till then, whenever choreographers directed a movie, unki dukaan bandh ho jaati thi! So I was very disheartened! But later, I consoled myself by reminding that even Guru Dutt was a choreographer. By the way, he was one of the few people who came to my house and asked why I wanted to direct a movie. Farah tells how she zeroed in that particular institution in Darjeeling, “I called Randhir Kapoor to find out where Mera Naam Joker was shot. Most of Main Hoon Na is set in a college, which is also remembered fondly. His henchman Khan in fact chooses country over terrorism. Also, I was very clear that my villain won’t be a Muslim terrorist. So it became quite layered which in (a typical entertainer), people don’t see. And then of course, what was nice that it had many layers of the estranged brothers, India and Pakistan etc. The original idea was that he goes undercover to help his brother and then falls in love with his teacher. Isme sab kuch hai, and everything was intentionally put. Now, people have beaten it to death! For me it was something fresh. And if you see, Main Hoon Na began the masala film genre back in Bollywood. And romance is my least favourite genre, especially Bollywood love stories! And Shah Rukh Khan then was usually doing such films and crying in most of them! Also, I felt that it’s been years since a masala film has come in cinemas. That was the time of romantic films and love stories like Mujhse Dosti Karoge, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hain, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai etc. Farah admits, “I wanted to make a young film. In fact, Main Hoon Na was a typical entertainer yet different from anything that used to be seen in Bollywood at that time. Shah Rukh Khan is known for his romance films and this film presented him in different light. “ Main Hoon Na began the masala film genre back in Bollywood”