After a hiatus of 16 years, Sholay director Ramesh Sippy is back behind the camera for his next film, a young love story. Sippy, palpably enthusiastic about his comeback, talks about working with youngsters for the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Zamana Deewana, and the changing concept of love in the Internet Age

Did you miss directing films during the long break?
Oh yes! I stopped because I felt I wasn't seeing the whole picture. I wanted an overview of the kind of films being made. I got sidetracked into television (Buniyaad), and then I realised my son, Rohan, had grown up. Now that he is established, I ask myself, 'Why the hell am I keeping back? Mr Yash Chopra is making films, isn't he?' Now, I have to prove that I still deserve the respect that I have received all along. The most beautiful part of today's era is that every kind of film works. I am working with Shridhar Raghavan, and we are in the final stages of scripting.

So, are you roping in a young cast for this love story?
The current superstars are in their 40s. I am not making a mature love story; I am keen on making a film with younger actors. This film will be a romance for sure, with a bit of action thrown in. One would have thought you would return to direction with an action-packed film, considering you are still identified with Sholay. I have always been identified with violence, though I made one Sholay. Shakti was a drama and Seeta Aur Geeta was a comedy.