I wanted someone who was bold and beautiful, someone who could speak her mind, calm, composed, decisive... I realised I was writing down Bipasha's characteristics; she is all this in real life.

It was easy to get her onboard -- not because I knew John, but because she knew me through my wife. When I went to her with the script and she read it, there was no 'yes' or 'no.' We just started discussing her look in the film.

You are constantly reminded by everone around you that you are a first-time director, and it may get to you. But she was very helpful all the way.

Didn't you think that the pairing -- Bipasha and Neil -- was odd?

Not at all. Bipasha has a longer screen life as compared to Neil but they suited the roles perfectly. I wanted to change the way women are portrayed on camera, so Bipasha was the only one I could think of.

Since the film is an action thriller, don't you think songs will slow the film's pace?

No. The film is just two hours long, and I have tried to blend Bollywood and action well. Biapsha plays a deejay, and when Neil goes to a club, she plays a song. The songs are either situational or in the background. I have only five songs in film, and they will not affect the film's pace.