The success of Heropanti has brought a smile on director Sabbir Khan’s face. And Sabbir is planning to celebrate his belated success very soon with a grand party. He admits it’s been a long wait. “I went through a period of huge uncertainty after Kambakht Ishq. My career could’ve ended even before it started. It was my producer Sajid Nadiadwala whose faith kept me going. He believed in me even when everybody else wrote me off.” Not many know that Sabbir was keen to direct Chetan Bhagat’s 2 States for producer Sajid Nadiadwala. But then the project became a Nadiadwala-Karan Johar co-production and the film’s direction was given to Johar’s protégé Abhishek Varman. Sabbir admits, “I read 2 States and recommended it to Sajid. At that point of time I wasn’t in a position to get a prized directorial assignment like 2 States.” Heropanti happened suddenly when producer Sajid Nadiadwala wanted to remake a Telugu film Paragu. Says Sabbir, “It was an out-and-out formula film. But there was something very endearing about the story.” Sabbir brought the subject over to his the ambit of his own imagination. “I turned it around completely. It’s hard to say why it clicked. But the Tiger Shroff-Kriti Sanon pair has been really liked. Also, beneath the flirting courtship and banter the film has a serious message on why honour killing must be eradicated from our society and why women must be respected.” Sabbir is a little hurt but not surprised by the negative reviews. “I didn’t really expect to be praised. But I didn’t expect such a barrage of adverse comments. We made the film that we believed in. I am really happy for Tiger and Kriti.” Just before the film’s release Tiger Shroff was bombarded with ridicule on the internet. Sabbir says he was hurt by the unnecessary criticism leveled at Tiger. “I was a first-hand witness to the mean comments. I was more upset by them than Tiger who took them in his stride. I’ve faced my own share of ridicule. Luckily it’s all in the past now.” Next film? “Won’t be a remake. But I will make it only for Sajid Nadiadwala,” promises Sabbir.