My films have lost their innocence:Nagesh Kukunoor

To a certain extent,yes, because I like something fresh each time I make a film. When I write ascript, the characters are clear in my mind. For my upcoming film, Ayesha(Takia) was a deliberate choice because I worked with her before and I knew shewould fit the role. But I didn’t know anything about Rannvijay, apart fromthe fact that he is a VJ. He had to audition and I must say, he was brilliant.My challenge was to portray him in a way that will take people by surprise. Iwill be hurt, if after watching the film, the audience feels, ‘oh RVcan’t act’. I hope people will exclaim, ‘RV can acttoo!’I don’t have any suchapprehensions. I like challenges and go with my gut feeling. If the film doeswell, fine, if it doesn’t, it’s stillfine.Yes, I maintain a distance from my actors because my primefocus is to bring my characters to life and I don’t make any compromisesthere. See, it’s simple — I meet an actress again and again becauseshe is working for my film, what if I get attracted to her? Then, my personalfeelings will start taking charge of me and I will begin to think, ‘Oh,she is a sweet girl, I like her, let me cast her’. It’s human yousee. Hence, to avoid this, I hardly meet them. Same goes with the actors, Imight build up friendships and that might affect myjudgment.That’s the point, you see. I know her well now.I know exactly which roles she can play, and I choose heraccordingly.Well, I just bring out the characters that I want. While making“Dor”, I had asked for a DVD of “Socha Na Tha”. There isthis scene when Ayesha is expected to express both excitement and fear. I sawher expressions and I was like ‘Man, she can act’. She was sointense.I guess because I work in discipline. See, I don’tlike to drag a film for years. I like it quick and I maintain decorum.It’s surprising, because I think allmy films are different. And I want to explore more genres. I wouldn’t makea love story again, because “Mod” is one. There’s so much todo — I want to make a full-on action film, a sci-fi, athriller......Yes, why not? He is an actionhero.Sowhat? I don’t have any regrets. I believed in the script and I went ahead.Yes, I would love to make a film with him. SRK and I have beentalking about it for years now. He wants to act in one of my films too. Wealways have this discussion. But when I do make a film with him, you will get tosee him in a completely different avatar.Of course, it has, because I don’t think like I usedto when I made “Hyderabad Blues” in 1998. People grow, it’s aprocess of evolution. My thoughts have also evolved. The difference, in fact, isobvious if you ask me. My earlier movies had a certain innocence about them— be it the subject, the treatment or the whole process of filmmaking;that has changed now. I don’t find that innocence in my films anymore. Ithas evolved and will evolve further withyears.Yes, RV wants me to wear these stylish, fitting shirts withscarves and all. He is good at styling and for the first time, I am game forsome exploring with my wardrobe.