'Didn't join Bollywood to make films with stars'

Mumbai: Filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia has a solid clarity of what he wants to do: make films which have his trademark style and never chase stars to get his dream on celluloid.

The director, who has helmed mid-budget but critically acclaimed films like Paan Singh Tomar and Saheb Biwi aur Gangster series, has learnt over the years on how to avoid the pressure of having a star to headline his film.

"I don't want to sound pompous but I want my films to be a 'Tigmanshu Dhulia Film.' Whether it's a hit or a flop, doesn't matter. I came to this industry to make films, not to make films with stars.

"Now I've learnt to not approach those producers with those kind of scripts where they will ask me to get a star. I don't fall into that trap anymore," said Tigmanshu.

The pressure on a director to get a star on board can be quite daunting. Tigmanshu first hand experienced this while making his upcoming directorial, Milan Talkies, which earlier had several names attached to it, from Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra to Imran Khan.

Though conceptualised around 2011, Tigmanshu had to cross several roadblocks to finally make the film.

"Earlier UTV was supposed to do it but I had a fallout with them because they weren't releasing Paan Singh Tomar. There was a gap then and Ekta pushed really hard. I'll give it up to her."

"Despite actors saying yes and no, dillydallying about it, she held on to it. But they needed a star. I requested her let me make it with whoever because otherwise this will never get made and she did."

The filmmaker is now ready to release Milan Talkies on March 15, featuring Ali Fazal.