To direct Sanjay Dutt and Aishwarya Rai in her very first film was no joke. But debutante director Leena Bajaj says she wasn't the least daunted by the stars.

"I wasn't working with stars for the heck of it. I had thought of the idea for 'Shabd' some four years ago. When I finally went to narrate the script to Aishwarya Rai, she said she loved it.

"Then she said, 'I've never done this. But I want you to narrate the film immediately to my father. Suddenly we were discussing the schedules and poster designs. It was unbelievable. She has been of invaluable help."

Leena can't stop raving about Aishwarya. "She excels, though the story is driven by Sanjay Dutt's character who plays a writer. It's his story, and how he copes with extreme failure and success.

"When I narrated the script to Sanjay Dutt I was convinced by his expression that he was the right person for the character. He was a surprise package for me. He's known to throw punches at his co-star. But on the first day I gave him vegetables to cut. Can you believe it? In terms of theme and treatment I don't think we've been anywhere like this before."

Leena wants to assert that the spoken word is as important to "Shabd" as the visuals. "Because Sanjay plays a writer we had to be very careful about the written word."

She refuses to see this as a film that defines the feminine gaze. "Sure, I'm a woman and somewhere that's bound to show up in my work. I haven't done anything, especially as a woman. Now people have to see the film to judge how much of a feminine gaze it conveys. But I'd like to be judged as a filmmaker, not man or woman."

Leena has worked for "Shabd" in close collaboration with her husband, cinematographer Aseem Bajaj. "After working with many cameramen on TV serials I realize he's a man who can carry my vision beyond the expected. I think Aseem needs to direct very soon. He has a beautiful script. In fact I'd love to shoot it for him while he concentrates on direction."

Both Aseem and Leena are from north India. "I don't think that's a disadvantage. The crew doesn't take you any less seriously because you're a woman. At the end of the day it's your work that counts.

"Sanjay treated me like a buddy. After a week he began to suggest the colour of clothes he should wear and ask for scenes in advance. He's never known to do that. He'd be joking on the sets and then give a perfectly serious shot. His performance is going to shock people.

Leena finds it hard to slot "Shabd". "It's an intelligent film, though not restricted to the intelligentsia. There are layers on the top and below. Audiences can pick what they like. I'm hoping I've communicated my ideas."