‘I don’t make films that are advertisements for stars’

Director Sudhir Mishra, who has helmed films such as Chameli (2003) and Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2005), is not interested in making films which are simply aimed at promoting the lead actors. He explains, “I don’t make films which are advertisements for heroes or stars. I make films for the story, and there are characters to be played. I have worked with Anil Kapoor, Manisha Koirala, and Kareena [Kapoor Khan]. But I don’t play to the ‘image’ of a star.”

However, he adds that this doesn’t mean he has any ‘problem’ working with stars. “Sometimes, a star can add great value to your film and bring in large audiences. Even stars are pretty good actors, and this is not an anti-actor or star statement. You cast someone because they work for a ‘part’, and not because they are a star,” says Sudhir, whose latest film Daas Dev released recently. He goes on to give the example of actor Saurabh Shukla, who starred in Daas Dev. “I don’t know if Saurabh is a star or an actor, but he got the biggest applause in the Jolly LLB series. I watched the film like any other viewer, and the whole audience in the theatre erupted into applause. These ‘character actors’ are bit of stars now. The audience today is interested in watching stories,” says the director.

Many filmmakers say that they are more focused on the content and not bothered by how much their film earns at the box office. However, Sudhir is equally concerned about that. “Who doesn’t want a full-house? Anybody who says they don’t is lying. We are in the medium because we want to be liked. I am not going to pretend I don’t want my films to succeed,” he says.

I make films for the story, and there are characters to be played. You cast someone because they work for a ‘part’, and not because they are a star. SUDHIR MISHRA DIRECTOR

PHOTO: SANJEEV SHARMA/HT Director Sudhir Mishra’s latest film is Daas Dev