Close to two decades is a long waiting period for getting  a foothold in an industry. Any ordinary human being would get frustrated, call it quits and move on to something else. But Jaideep Sen had it in him to rise above the ordinary, patiently wait in the backdrop for 18 years, learn the tricks of the trade and finally make an entry with a bang.

If you are wondering who we are talking about, think of an item number (also the title song) that has two versions featuring two of the biggest names in the industry (Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan) dancing to the tunes of Vishal Shekhar. And think of the the director of the movie. Yes, Jaideep Sen is the man who has directed the biggest names in Bollywood today in Krazzy 4 and is all set to enter the list of famous directors.

Caught in a relaxed mood before the launch of his first movie as an independent director, Jaideep takes a walk down memory lane. “I started my career in films as an assistant director to Harry Baweja. This was almost 18 years ago!” Sen then went on to assist Raj Kanwar for six films. “I also worked as an associate director with Sunny Deol for Dillagi and even assisted the late Mukul S Anand. I have been very lucky in being able to work with so many big names. Whatever I have learned in the industry is because of my proximity to these big directors,” confesses Sen.

But how did he enter the world of movies? Did he always want to become a director? “I was a movie buff, but never really thought of making a career in it. It all changed when a close friend Sunil Saini (also a producer) suggested that I take up a career in movies since I was so fond of movies. He also described to me the role of an assistant director and I liked it a lot. I thought this would be the perfect outlet for my creativity. And that’s how I entered Bollywood!” explains Sen.

Though he had been assisting a number of famed directors, his career took a quantum jump when he decided to join Film Kraft (Rakesh Roshan’s production house) in 2001. “That really changed my style of working.  I worked very closely with Rakesh Roshan for Koi..Mil Gaya and Krrish and had a great learning experience,” remembers Sen.  Rakesh Roshan was might impressed with his style of working and decided to give Sen the responsibility of directing Krazzy 4, Film Kraft’s latest venture.

“When we were shooting for Krissh in Singapore, Rakesh Roshan spoke to me about the idea of Krazzy 4 and then we spoke to Ashwin Dheer (of Office Office fame) for writing the script. Within a few days everything was done and we were thinking of the casting! The trust that Rakesh Roshan has expressed in me is tremendous and there is a lot of responsibility that comes with it. I hope I am able to do justice to that,” says Sen displaying streaks of nervousness. What is making Sen more nervous is the fact that this is the first time a Film Kraft production is being directed by anyone other than Rakesh Roshan. Add to that that fact that Sen is a debutante director, you will know why he is sweating even in an air conditioned room!

“But I had a lovely time making the film. The entire unit pampered me so much that I had no time to feel nervous. And even before we hired publicists for the movie, Rajpal Yadav and Arshad Warshi started playing the role of unofficial PROs! They praised the film a lot to everyone they met,” says Sen. Interestingly, Sen says, Irfaan Khan was supposed to play the negative character (now being played by Zakir Hussain), but later expressed his desire to play a central role.

So what next, now that Krazzy 4 is over? “I have been offered another film with Percept Picture Company. I am grateful to Suresh Menon for that, since he was instrumental in me getting this opportunity,” says Sen who cannot think beyond Krazzy 4 now.