From 'Strangers' to 'Raanjhanaa', I have grown a lot: Aanand L. Rai

May 13, 2013 Anjuri Nayar

Mumbai, May 13 (IANS) "Raanjhanaa" director Aanand L. Rai has also directed a non-commercial film "Strangers" which didn't manage to garner much success at the box office. Rai said he has learnt a lot with time.

"I also learnt with time. I won't say that I have learnt to become commercial but I have learnt to balance something for myself. You also learn and understand your audience. I want to stay selfless and tell my story honestly. There has been my personal growth," he told IANS in an interview.

The director also made "Tanu Weds Manu" which was a big hit among the masses. Rai was glad that it managed to reach the right audience.

"Every director will look at bigger figures. But even at 'Tanu Weds Manu' time, I was happy that it reached the right audience. It makes me happy when people say that tehy liked the film," he said.

The film should be liked by everyone, the director feels.

"It is a film and it should be liked by everyone. I respect critics and I respect my audience. For me it goes hand in hand," he said.

"Raanjhanaa" stars Sonam Kapoor, Abhay Deol and Southern star Dhanush. Known for his popular number, "Kolaveri Di", Dhanush became popular all over the country but the director said that he didn't take him because of the song.

"Kolaveri di may help but that was not my thought process. If that would have been the case, then I would have made him sing too. He remains a Kolvaeri Di boy but for me he is a bigger actor than a singer. He is a national award winning actor," he said.

Rai says that "Raanjhanaa" is a very important project and this is why he took on board legendary composer A.R. Rahman.

"I was finding 'Raanjhanaa' a leap ahead of me. For this film, I needed someone who is fearless and was not scared of taking that jump and this subject required someone like Rahman sir. He is not there because he is a big name, he is there because 'Raanjhanaa' asked for it," he said.

Talking about other genres, the director said that he would love to make an action film at some point in his career.

"I will make action for sure. There will be a love story there... I don't know who I will take. I will not make it now, I will make it later," he said.

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