Director Mahesh Bhatt recently said his house help was happy with his involvement in the social drama Ab Dilli Dur Nahin as the movie chronicles a poor man’s success story.

The veteran filmmaker recently did a cameo appearance in Dilli Dur Nahin, which is based on a rickshaw puller’s son becoming an IAS Officer. He was also involved in the creative process of the movie.

“My house help saw the news on her phone. She was talking about it. She narrated the story in one line. I feel that kahani ka ek line main bol lena is a big jeet (I feel that telling the story in one line is a victory.) She was happy that I backed the story of a poor man’s success,” said Mahesh.

Imran Zahid, who headlines Ab Dilli Dur Nahin, is known for performing in several plays based on Mahesh’s films, including Arth, Daddy, and Hamari Adhuri Kahani.

The actor spoke about how they got the director on board. “While discussing with my creative consultant Suhrita Das, we thought of Mahesh Bhatt sir for this role. Then we requested him to make a guest appearance in our film — it’s a big motivation for me since he is my mentor.”

“He backed the film and got involved in the creative process. Bhatt saab is playing the role of a TV host and motivational speaker who interviews the protagonist, played by me, after becoming an IAS officer,” he added.

Speaking extensively about his long association with Mahesh, Imran said he shared a special bond with the director. “When I met him for the first time at an event, he said, ‘tu toh hero lagta hai tujhe filmo me hona chaiye’ (You look like a hero, you should be in films.) After a week, he asked me to send a few photographs of mine and we started communicating.”

Directed by Kamal Chandra and produced by Vinay Bhardwaj, Syed Z and Sanjay Mawar, Ab Dilli Dur Nahin also stars Shruti Sodhi. It released in cinemas on May 12.