After Mehta's last directorial venture 'Woodstock Villa' in 2008, he went on an extended sabbatical. It was during this time that he thought of making 'Shahid'.
"I was working on a different script and was researching for it but that did not work out. One day I happen to see a story about Shahid Azmi and I felt there was a story there to tell," Mehta said, at the ongoing 14th Mumbai Film Festival here.
"The film has changed my life. And I will not repeat the mistakes that I have made in the past. The subject of this film evolved into a mission for me. The film has totally transformed me," he said.
For Mehta making this film did not come easy.
"The entire film was difficult but in a way I had good experience as well. As the pleasure of going back home and looking forward to the next day of shoot is a feeling which I have not had for a long day," he said.
The film is co-produced by Anurag Kashyap, Guneet Monga and Sunil Bohra and it features actor Raj Kumar Yadav playing the role of Shahid Azmi.
The director is eagerly awaiting the release of his film which is likely to happen early next year.