Writer-director Suparn Verma, known for The Family Man, Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena and his latest release Haq, recently revisited some of the most defining moments of his career. In a heartfelt conversation, he reflected on the turning points that shaped his journey—from meeting filmmaker Hansal Mehta, to learning under Ram Gopal Varma, to forming an unforgettable bond with the iconic Feroz Khan, who later entrusted him with writing Janasheen for his son Fardeen Khan.
How a Chance Meeting With Hansal Mehta Changed His Path
Suparn shared that his earliest career milestone happened unexpectedly through actor Manoj Bajpayee, whom he had interacted with multiple times while working as a journalist. “Manoj Bajpayee has come into my life at various phases. When Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar was about to release, I was running chat rooms and organising Manoj’s online chat session. Since laptops weren’t common then, he asked me to use his friend Hansal Mehta’s desktop,” he recalled.
What began as a brief meeting soon turned into hours of discussing cinema. Hansal, who had been reading Suparn’s reviews on Rediff, recognised his potential. “As I was leaving, Hansal suddenly asked if I wanted to write a film for him,” Suparn shared. That unexpected question marked the beginning of his writing career.
The First Break That Set Everything in Motion
The duo initially worked on a film intended for Abhay Deol’s debut, but the project never materialised. Destiny, however, had different plans.
“While working on that script, Hansal’s ADs read my 10-page story Chhal. Soon, a producer approached Hansal with a ₹1 crore budget and asked if he could make a film. Hansal agreed. I wrote the final script in 15 days, and that became my first film,” Suparn said.
How Ram Gopal Varma Became His ‘Film School’
Another major turning point came when Suparn met Ram Gopal Varma for an interview—an encounter that unexpectedly evolved into months of learning and collaboration.
“I spent almost eight months with RGV and ended up writing three to four projects for him. He became my film school. He never teaches you directly; he simply lives his life. If you’re observant, you learn. He is unapologetic, brilliant, and a complete genius,” Suparn noted.
The Beginning of His Journey With Feroz Khan
Through his association with RGV, Suparn was introduced to Feroz Khan, who was looking for a writer for Fardeen Khan’s next film. But at the time, Suparn was juggling work with Hansal, RGV, and Rediff—so he politely declined.
Fortunately, Feroz Khan had his own unique way of winning people over.
Feroz Khan’s Charm: A Bond Built Over Food and Cinema
Suparn recalled how Feroz Khan gently drew him into the project without ever directly asking. “He laughed and told me to come over the next Sunday because he wanted to cook for me. He made Afghani chicken, narrated his story, and we discussed cinema for hours,” Suparn said.
The following Sundays became a ritual. Feroz would cook, Suparn would listen, and they would exchange ideas—yet Feroz never formally asked him to write the film.
Until one day.
“He called me again, and this time he handed me a cheque. He said, ‘You are already writing my film, so take the money.’ That was his love, warmth, and affection. He almost adopted me,” Suparn said emotionally.
A Deep Bond With the Khan Family
As Janasheen went on floors, Suparn’s friendship with Fardeen Khan grew stronger, while his connection with Feroz Khan deepened even more.
“Feroz Khan was the nicest human being anyone could meet. He was passionate, honest, and lived life without pretence. He was the greatest gentleman—unapologetic yet incredibly warm,” Suparn said.
He added that Feroz Khan’s respectful nature was the secret behind his ageless charm. “He could charm anyone—from 18 to 80—because he treated everyone with respect.”
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