In an interview with Indian Express, the director traveled back in time (1993 to be precise) to talk about his directorial debut Pehla Nasha, which starred Deepak Tijori, Raveena Tandon, and Pooja Bhatt Ashutosh Gowariker has dabbled with both acting and direction.

As an actor, he has been a part of films like Chamatkar, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, and was recently seen in Netflix’s Kaala Paani. He also acted in the television show CID back in the late 90s.

In an interview with Indian Express, the director traveled back in time (1993 to be precise) to talk about his directorial debut Pehla Nasha, which starred Deepak Tijori, Raveena Tandon, and Pooja Bhatt. It had cameos byShah Rukh Khan andAamir Khan, and this is the only time the two Khans have shared screen space. It’s a dream sequence where Tijori’s character, who aspires to be a film star, is being lauded for his performance by actors like SRK, Aamir, Saif Ali Khan, Rahul Roy, and Sudesh Berry.

Ashutosh Gowariker reveals how he convinced Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan for a cameo in his first film 'Pehla Nasha'

Talking about it, the Lagaandirector said, “There is Saif, Rahul Roy, Sudhish Berry in the scene, who all, at that time, had their lead films. That film I wanted to direct. The desire that I wanted to make my debut as a director was a known thing for all these actors. For some strange reason, at that time, they all felt, ‘Tu achcha director banega!’ “

He added, “So when this came about, that I am going to do my debut, they all were so happy. The feeling was, ‘Yaar Ashu ki pehli picture hai so we must be a part of it.’So they came in good camaraderie.”

The filmmaker went on to direct films like Lagaan, Swades, Jodhaa Akbar, Mohenjo Daro, and Panipat.