'Yeh Saali Zindagi' is a happy film: Sudhir

New Delhi: He is known for making gritty films like Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi and Dharavi, but Sudhir Mishra says his next release Yeh Saali Zindagi is his "happiest film" till date and explores a new genre.

"I have tried to do something different with this film. When I set out with the script I wanted it to be a romantic film, but the elements of a thriller came in later. 'Yeh Saali...' is a gripping roller-coaster ride. Its first job is

to entertain," Mishra told.

Even though he himself calls it a romantic thriller showing the "exasperating" side of life, Mishra is adamant 'Yeh Saali...' is a happy film. "It is the happiest film I have ever made. Although it shows how life exasperates you at times, the audience is going to leave the movie hall feeling good," he said.

Whatever the genre might be, the director says the February 4 release is essentially a love story with Irrfan Khan playing a man who puts his own life in danger for his lady love.

"Romance is the essence of the film," added Mishra. With 'Yeh Saali...', Mishra has also fulfilled his wish to work with Irrfan, whom he considers one of the best actors in the industry at the time. "I wanted to work with him for a long time. He is a great actor who knows exactly how much to deliver in his

performance, where to act and where not to."

As Irrfan's onscreen love interest, Mishra has cast Chitrangada Singh, who began her acting career with his Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi. "She brings in the real qualities of a woman into the film. Chitrangada is a wonderfully nuanced actress," said Mishra.

The film also stars one-film old Arunoday Singh. Seen as a sophisticated Delhiite in his first film 'Aisha', Mishra has turned him into a goon on the streets of old Delhi with 'Yeh Saali...' "For the role of the gangster, we needed somebody with a tough physique and the innocent smile of a boy - Arunoday fit the bill. Also he was perfectly comfortable jumping around on

the rooftops in Delhi," said Mishra.

Yeh Saali Zindagi, which recently came under Censor Board fire due to the controversial title, was initially meant to be named 'Dil Dar-ba-dar'. "I wrote a song called 'Yeh saali zindagi', which seemed to express the very essence of the film. Then we conducted the online survey and found that even the audience loved this title better," said Mishra.