MUMBAI: R Balki’s next film starring Amitabh Bachchan is on hold until his wife Gauri Shinde begins shooting her film English Vinglish with Sridevi in the lead on 7 July.

Balki, who is producing the film, says he is very proud of the script. “I’d have produced it even if it wasn’t my wife who wrote it. It is just so brilliant. I wish I had written it,” the ad-man turned filmmaker tells Businessofcinema.com.

What thrills Balki about this script is that it is tailormade for Sridevi. “It’s almost as if it was written for her. She doesn’t have to do anything to get into the part. No preparation is needed. The role IS her. Even the way she speaks in real life is reflected in the character she will play.”

Balki is thrilled that his wife is not only directing Sridevi in her comeback film, but will also be the first woman-director the Diva will work with.

“Can you believe it? In all these years she has never worked with a woman director before,” exclaims Balki.

Balki’s own directorial venture goes into writing as soon as his wife’s film goes on floors. “It’s not as if the two will happen one after the other. We didn’t decide that I would write my film after Gauri started directing hers. But right now the entire focus is on Gauri’s film.”

Apparently Balki will cast Sridevi in the film that he will direct next. “At the moment it’s too too early to talk about the casting of that one. The only thing we’ve decided on is that Mr Bachchan will play the lead,” says Balki.