You seem to be able to switch easily between low budget, high budget, working in the States, working here with Film4.

I wouldn’t really agree with you. I think I am better at slightly lower budget films. Really big budget films bring a different set of problems. The problem is making a good film and a budget is all dressing. Nobody turns up at a multiplex and thinks, ‘Now which one of these costs the least?’ when they are considering choosing a movie. So what you have got to do really regardless of your budget is just make something compelling and good. And the money thing is slightly peripheral to that in a way.

Earlier in this interview you said you still feel you don’t know anything about making films.

My philosophy is you should try to make each film as differently as possible so that you set off in innocence. It’s a fake of course, like your virginity, once it’s gone it’s gone. But that’s why I like to do films that are very different to each other.

After a long break, you’re making another film for Film4. How did this come about?

Film4 picked up the book called Slumdog Millionaire and got Simon Beaufoy to adapt it. It is very exciting to be able to work with them again. (Set in Mumbai the comedy is centered around, an illiterate kid who looks to become a contestant on the Hindi version of Who Wants to be A Millionaire in order to re-establish contact with the girl he loves, who is an ardent fan of the show.)

Tessa Ross said you could make a successful film with a good writer, but you can only make a great film with a great director. Do you agree?

Perhaps her skill is to find the right directors for each film.