Overview

• In new interviews on September 6, the director says the studio, including people he refers to as his own family, chose to proceed without him.
• He says he had been writing the film but refused to announce it before finishing the script as producers pressed for speed.
• Suri notes the project shifted to Anurag Basu, who is making a Kartik Aaryan–Sreeleela romance that has not been formally titled Aashiqui 3.
• Reflecting on his slump, he admits he chased formulas on Ek Villain Returns and let pressure override his instincts.
• He credits Saiyaara’s reported ~₹500 crore worldwide haul with reviving his standing and says he no longer regrets losing the franchise, questioning using the Aashiqui label without its earlier leads.