'Essential to have fearless approach as a filmmaker'

Mumbai: Aanand L Rai believes as a filmmaker one should have guts to bring a story they believe in on screen.

The 47-year-old director, whose next Zero features Shah Rukh Khan, said the story should be the hero of the film and audiences as well as filmmakers should not be influenced by the star power.

"Films are part of life. There is different high in converting something that is on paper to breathe on the big screen. My driving force is the story. The story comes from anywhere.

"The world around me inspires, at times you get something from society, at times you want to give something to society. I should have a reason to tell a story. It is essential to have guts and fearless approach (in making films). Neither the audience nor the maker should be in awe of somebody," Rai said.

The director, known for films like Tanu Weds Manu, Raanjhanaa and Tanu Weds Manu Returns, said his aim is to stay connected with Indian audience.

"I have made Indian, rooted films because I want to stay connected with audiences. Talking about relationships, I think people today have become calculative about love and that they don't end up falling in love easily."

As a producer Rai has been backing unconventional films such as Nil Battey Sannata, Happy Bhag Jayegi, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Tumbbad, Manmarziyaan and others. He also presented India's Official Oscars entry for 2018 Newton.

He said filmmakers and writers should create a space for all genres and never underestimate the audience.

His upcoming film Zero, which features Sharukh alongside Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma, will release on December 21.