October 17, 2007 -Farhan Akhtar's remake of the 1970s Amitabh Bachchan hit Don is 60 per cent complete and is likely to get a Diwali release. He said that was just look at a Diwali release since the film is almost complete.

"It is a very hectic round-the-clock schedule. We are working like crazy," said Farhan, sounding far less relaxed than he usually does. He's been shooting vigorously in Malaysia.

"Malaysia is almost like a character in my Don. See, the whole point of re-making a classic featuring Bachchan was to give it my own twist. I have tweaked my dad and Salim saab's script a bit.

"The essence of Don remains the same. But in terms of look, mood and flavour, my Don is very different. I'd say it's my homage to the original. Yes, I am very happy with what we have shot so far."

The tuning between Farhan and his leading man Shah Rukh Khan is the talk of tinsel town.

"We were friends from before Don. See, both Shah Rukh and I are ardent fans of Don and Mr Bachchan. When we finally started working together it was like his enthusiasm combined with mine.

"Shah Rukh's energy level is very infectious. He gives very intelligent suggestions. And since I am always open to suggestions - who says I am not? That is totally untrue -- I enjoy Shah Rukh's inputs.

"We are having a whole lot of fun. Though I must tell you it's a lot of hard work. I can't even begin to describe what it's like."

Talk veers to the much talked about Khaike Paan Banaras Wala song-and-dance routine that they recently shot.

"We knew what Mr Bachchan had done to the song in the earlier Don. Shah Rukh and I weren't even thinking about it when we took the plunge. First of all, we are great fans of the song. It is truly a monster of a song. But what Sarojji (Saroj Khan) did with Khaike paan ... is incredible.

"Of course, there is an element of deja vu in the choreography. But Sarojji  has taken the number somewhere else."

The feisty filmmaker takes a deep breath. "In fact, all of us here in Malaysia are paying homage to the earlier Don. It is true that we have improved on the technical value immensely. But how far could we go with technique alone?

"Whether it is Shah Rukh, Priyanka, Arjun Rampal, Isha Koppiker, Boman Irani, Om Puri or Kareena Kapoor doing that incredible number Yeh mera dil pyar ke deewana by Helenji, we see our efforts as a tribute to a film we have all seen and loved featuring our ultimate screen hero Amitabh Bachchan."