Why 'Teen Patti' director would forget to say cut on sets

When you have two legends like Ben Kingsley and Amitabh Bachchan on screen, it is hard to take your eyes off, and it was no different for Teen Patti director, Leena Yadav.

The director admits that she often got so mesmerised with the actors' performances that she would forget saying cut on the sets of the film.

"I am a very involved director anyway, but when they both used to start their magic, all I remember is watching them awestruck without saying cut," Leena told PTI in an interview.

"Moreover, it is such a treat to watch the two screen legends, that you don't feel like stopping them. Asking them to stop is like disrespecting them. I have learned so much by just watching them," Leena added.

But apart from the thrill of watching two czars of filmdom on-screen, Leena insists that it is the script which is going to keep the audiences on the edge.

"The whole journey started with the idea given by music director Vishal Dadlani. I loved it, and started working on it. After completing the script, I was sure we can't go ahead if we don't have Mr Bachchan onboard. And to my delight, he loved it. I really don't know what would have happened if he would have said no," Leena said.

And when asked how did she manage to get Academy-Award-winning actor, Kinglsey to sign the project, Leena said, "I think to convince a fine actor, all you need is a fine script. My script made my work easy."

Set in India and England, Teen Patti boasts of being an emotionally riveting thriller about greed, deception and imagination.

Apart from Bachchan and Kingsley, the film is also a launch pad for four debutantes, Shraddha Kapoor, Sidharth Kher, Vaibhav Talwar and Dhruv Ganesh.

"I know people are talking about Mr Bachchan and Kinglsey, but the debutantes are out there to surprise all. Even Big B could not resist but admire how well prepared and confident they all were on the sets," Leena said.

The film also casts actor Madhavan, who is riding on the stupendous success of 3 Idiots.

The actor plays a maverick professor, donning six different looks, who is forced to choose between love and lust.

"I have always admired Madhavan for his choice of roles. He is an amazing actor, and in Teen Patti, he gets a larger scope to perform," the director said.

Leena, whose last outing, the Sanjay Dutt, Aishwarya Rai, Zayed Khan starrer Shabd in 2005 could not lure the masses at the box office, is confident that the audience has evolved, and will accept her film, set to hit the theaters on February 26.

"Today, you have different audiences for different films which is good, as your effort is not wasted. Teen Patti talks about different generations. From youngsters to middle-aged to old, the film depicts each of their struggles with the pressure of today's fast-paced life. At the same time, it is a thriller to keep you on edge. I hope people like it," Leena said.