My sole objective is to entertain: Nagesh Kukunoor

Gandhinagar, Sep 10 (IANS) Director-actor Nagesh Kukunoor says his aim of making films is not to spread any message but to entertain the audience.

"I do not want to brand my films under any category. I do not see my films as a platform for spreading any message. They are simple and my sole objective is to entertain," said Kukunoor while interacting with the audience during a promotion of his film "Iqbal" here Friday evening.

"Iqbal is a simple story and it carries no such message. I have made a fable, all happy images, even the narration of poverty is not sad in it. I love making fictions with happy endings," he said.

He revealed that he wanted to make film on a 'malkham' (a gymnastic game of Maharashtra) player, but realised that it would not reach to the audience. He ultimately decided to make film on cricket.

"Cricket is a medium in this film. It is not the subject. The subject is one's aspirations to achieve excellence. The game, in our country, can connect fast with the audience," said the film director.

"I searched for the right face for two months in Bangalore, Mumbai and other cricket academies. I wanted a face completely unknown to the audience," he replied to a query on why he did not choose Salil Ankola.

Kukunoor admitted that he had to be very careful to take any liberty as Naseeruddin Shah, the actor, had profound understanding of the game.

"Films are a guessing game. You have to rely on your instinct. With perfect cast and excellent treatment, you can even have a disaster in your hand at the end," said the director on prospects of a film making business.

"With a banner like 'Mukta Searchlight Films', I have a luxury of proper publicity campaign, which was not the case with my earlier films," he added.

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Iqbal