Veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra has received many awards in his lifetime, but each time he gets an award, it is a special feeling for him.

Talking exclusively to Bussinessofcinema.com on his latest award, the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award at the 14th Pusan International Film Festival, Yash Chopra reveals to us his passion for film making.

Morever, as Amitabh Bachchan turns 67, Chopra speaks about his integrity, professionalism and contribution to Indian cinema.

Sitting sprawled in his sofa, Yash Chopra spoke on various issues, here are some excerpts.

Do awards still excite you?
Of course it does. Each award you get, it makes you feel encouraged to try out something new, seek out new pastures.

But you prefer the genre of romance..
Romance is there in every film. It has to be. Pyar mohabbat ke bina kuch nahin hai (There is nothing without love).

And Switzerland and foreign locales only add to the romance.
It is nothing like that. A location can be made beautiful by the way it is shot. Even today Switzerland will look very different when I shoot it because it is my perspective. Film gives depth to a location and adds to the script as a character.

Film making to you is…
There is no other feeling like making a film. The entire process of film making from the time you mull on a subject to the time it is released in the theatres and you anxiously wait for audience feedback can be best explained as a bitter sweet pain. There are so many problems while putting a film together, so much of logistical issues and yet it is a creative process.

Tell us about your next film.
I have started working on my next film as I want to get back to directing. It has been a long sabbatical for me since Veer Zara, but now the director’s thinking cap is on and I am working on putting the script together.

Rumor has it that you have signed Aamir Khan…
No, Aamir Khan is not in my film. How can I cast anyone when my script is not complete. Let me finish the scripting and then I will put my cast together. Right now let the characters come alive.

Today is Amitabh Bachchan’s birthday… According to you, what makes him such a great actor? And what is your working relationship with him?
Amitabh Bachchan is one of the most dedicated and sincere actors that we have. His integrity to his profession coupled with his immense talent is what has taken him to great heights. I have worked with him several times in the 37 years that I have known him. Give him a bound script, he will have his inputs, all of which are discussed before we start shooting. This discussion is never taken on the day of the shoot. Pre-production means script discussion. On the day of the shoot, on my set, it is the least chaotic as we all know what needs to be done. The time for discussion is over. It is now execution time.