"Whatever the controversies surrounding the film, I look back on 'Maya Memsaab' with much pride and affection. I'd have taken the plunge as a director some years ago. But then I got busy with our special-effects company. I thought it would take me six months to set up. It actually took four years of my life. But I'm proud of it," said Deepa.

And now, finally the vocation she has been waiting for.

"A lot of my husband's films like 'Maya Memsaab' and 'O Darling! Yeh Hai India' featured me. But that was it. Contrary to belief, I didn't contribute to the direction. Now with 'Na Na Karte Pyaar' I'm ready to take the plunge."

So is the film named after its leading man, Nana?

"No the 'Na Na' is just a coincidence and a happy one. He's such a wonderful actor and a great human being. I wanted to work with him. As for Hemaji, she's a full blown diva, no other word for it. I get weak kneed just looking at her. I wonder how I'll direct her! When I conceived the script, I needed two mature people. I don't think Nana and Hema have worked together before," she said.

She is right - the two came close to working together in Milan Luthria's "Hat Trick", but Hema opted out.

Ask her about autumnal romances being in vogue after Hema and the Big B clicked in "Baghban" and Deepa retorts, "I don't think love or cinema is about age."

Deepa is very clear about the tone of her film.

"My husband and I have acquired a reputation for making films that are serious in tone - you know the symposium-festival kind of films. We do have a lighter side to our creativity. In 'Na Na Karte Pyaar', we want to have fun," she said.