Juhi Chawla is all set to mesmerise her fans this time with choreographer-turned-director Ganesh Acharya’s Swami opposite Manoj Bajpai. The film is about a couple living in the small town of Nilgiri. The close knit family have their little big dreams to fulfil. But a traumatic incident occurs and that changes everything.

The film is not inspired by any real-life story. But just like the couple in the film Ganesh Acharya’s parents happen to be a Maharashtrian-South Indian couple. Ganesh Acharya is very passionate about the story. The simple, sweet moments are presented in a dramatic way as the life story of the family unfolds. Ganesh is able to weave into the comedy, the emotions and the dhamaal in a very interesting manner. Juhi Chawla elaborates on her experience. “Yeah, there is one small scene where I am all engrossed cooking, chopping vegetables. And I put on this very interesting South Indian music. But the moment the doorbell rings and I see Manoj, I immediately switch on to a Marathi programme — Amchi maati amchi just to make him feel at home.”

Juhi’s last released film, Bas Ek Pal, was a flop. But Juhi has a different take on it. “I personally liked the music very much and also the film since I was a part of it. I feel it was based on relationships as it occurs in recent times. So I don’t find any reason for the film not doing well. But the audience is the best judge. As far as I am concerned I liked the film and enjoyed doing it.”

Juhi is also paired opposite Anil Kapoor in Salaam-E-Ishq. She is playing one of the couples there. It’s about marriage and married couples of seven-eight years.

Juhi also has a Punjabi film in her kitty. “Waris Shah — Ishq Daa Waaris (based on the legend of the Punjabi Sufi saint, Waris Shah and the real-life love that inspired his epic poem Heer Ranjha) was a film that I really enjoyed doing. But the team spirit is shattered with the director’s sudden demise. (The film is a tribute to director Manoj Punj who died of cardiac arrest a week after the film’s grand premier celebrations in Santa Clara, California) I don’t think I will do any other Punjabi films now. I cannot do films only for the sake of signing films. For me no more Punjabi films because I feel there can’t be any more good films there.”

Dreamz Unlimited, the production house with Shah Rukh Khan and director Aziz Mirza had their last hit in Chalte Chalte, 2003. But Juhi admits there isn’t any plan right now. “If we come across any good and appealing script we are open to it. I have not discussed anything with Shah Rukh yet, it all depends on time.”

Juhi is playing a mother in Ravi Chopra’s next Bhootnath, the title role is played by Amitabh Bachchan with SRK in a guest appearance. It’s a funny heartwarming children’s film.

Juhi enjoys working with children very much. “I have done films with children, they are so full of energy. Nowadays children are very different. They are so energetic and prompt. They can memorise their lines immediately. It’s a great experience working with kids but at some point I do get tired with them because they are so full of energy and they just want to go on and on. But I need to get back my energy, so I have to sit back and get ready for the rest of the day,” says the ever cheerful and Chirpy Chawla, as she was known.