Shashank Khaitan on Sunny Sanskari ki Tulsi Kumari, Collaborating with Varun & Janhvi, and His Advice for Aspiring Writers

In an exclusive conversation, filmmaker Shashank Khaitan opens up about his latest project Sunny Sanskari ki Tulsi Kumari, the process behind it, and his journey with frequent collaborators Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor.

Q.1: How have you been? I will start with asking when did you start developing the script along with Ishitaa and when did it get greenlit?

Around March 2023, Varun and I were chatting at my place—just bouncing off ideas like we always do. He mentioned something about exploring a story with two couples, and I found the thought exciting. I quickly wrote a one-pager, then a few pages more, and when I shared it with Varun, he loved it. We immediately took it to Karan, and he was on board too. So, in principle, it was greenlit pretty quickly. By May 2023, we had cracked the core idea and pre-production began by November. We started shooting around April–May 2024.

Q.2: I liked the conflict of this film. And I feel it’s all about the conflict. If there is no conflict in a love story, is it even a love story? Do you also feel the same way?

Yes, conflict is key. But what I’ve noticed is that modern love stories often shy away from external conflict because people think it’s “dated.” My view is simple—if parental pressure still exists in India, then it’s not dated. A writer’s job is to give it a fresh treatment, not dismiss it. Love stories thrive on well-etched characters and a balance of internal and external conflict. Without that, they feel hollow. For me, it’s about rooting stories in reality while also keeping them aspirational.

Q.3: Let’s talk about the casting process? Both primary and secondary. The first names which were there in your mind got locked?

Pretty much, yes. Varun and Janhvi came on board immediately. For Rohit and Sanya, I had no fixed names in mind. Mukesh Chhabra, our casting director, suggested many actors, and when we met Rohit and Sanya, it clicked instantly. They were excited and wanted to dive deep into their parts, which was exactly what we needed. My intent was to present them in ways the audience hadn’t seen before. The four leads together created the right energy. Beyond them, we had Akshay Oberoi and Manish Paul—Manish literally cast himself after hearing about the role from Varun. It was spontaneous and fun!

Q.4: Films teach a lot to artists be it actors directors producers. What did Sunny Sanskari teach you about yourself and your craft?

This film tested me physically and emotionally. I suffered chicken guniya and sciatica during the shoot—I was on bed rest and a wheelchair for months. It taught me endurance and resilience, and that I could still laugh even in pain. From a filmmaking perspective, it reminded me that no film is “easy.” Even if it looks like a light-hearted comedy, you need to give it the same sincerity as a serious film. Every project requires starting from ground zero.

Q.5: You also wrote Dil Bechara and were about to direct it but then you made Dhadak. Can you tell us what happened in the middle?

Dil Bechara was never mine to direct—it was always meant for someone else. At that time, Fox Star Studios was producing it, and I was only brought in to write dialogues. I don’t even recall the exact timelines, but Mukesh Chhabra eventually directed it. I was just happy to contribute to the script. Around the same period, Dhadak came together as my directorial.

Q.6: You are working with Janhvi for the second time. She made her debut with you. How do you see her journey and what has changed in her growth wise and what has remained the same?

Janhvi has grown tremendously. During Dhadak, she went through one of the toughest times anyone could face, and it affected her personally and as an actor. Over the years, I’ve seen her come out of that shell. Today, she’s far more confident, both as a person and as a performer. She’s handled criticism with maturity, embraced her identity, and become fearless in her choices. I think that growth makes her a director’s delight—you can trust her with any scene.

Q.7: Similarly, with Varun, this is your third film with him. Would we be seeing another movie with him and Alia in the Dulhania series? You have tapped that jodi quite well.

We do get asked this a lot! The truth is, Varun, Alia, and I have discussed it many times. But we’re clear—it won’t happen unless we find the right story. We don’t want to force it just for nostalgia’s sake. It has to be something fresh, fun, and sincere. If the stars align, we’ll definitely do it, but only when all three of us believe in it equally.

Q.8: What’s coming up next from your side after Sunny Sanskari? Have you already begun writing?

Yes, my production house Meta Disciple Entertainment has started a co-production with Luv Ranjan Films—it’s already on the floor and gives opportunities to six young actors. As for my next directorial, we’ll announce it soon. I don’t know if it’ll be like Dhadak, but I promise it will be heartfelt and impactful.

Q.9: What’s your one tip to all the budding writers? A lot of them come and get lost in the chaos of the city!

Train yourself—through film school, assisting, or even YouTube—come prepared. Don’t fear rejection; I wrote seven or eight scripts before Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania happened. And be versatile—don’t rely on one story, understand market realities, and keep refining your work. Passion alone isn’t enough, persistence is.