I'm proud of the films I make: Khushbu

Khushbu is one of the most influential women in Kollywood today. She has successfully reinvented herself as a television star and a leading producer.
On the eve of the release of her new film Aindham Padai (she's the producer of the movie!), the actress talks about the film and the current trends in the industry.
You are the only woman who has tasted success as a top heroine and then as a leading producer when it comes to the big screen...
(Smiles) Yes, there was a belief in the industry that leading ladies who turned to film production were unlucky at the box-office. Well, I have broken that myth to a certain extent with a hat-trick of hits (Giri, Thalai Nagaram and Rendu) and today, my fourth film is releasing. I think four films in five years for a woman producer is impressive.
All your films as producer are mass films, aimed at the B & C audiences...
I make no bones about the fact that I'm not producing films for the multiplex audiences of Chennai. My target audiences are beyond Tambaram, in rural and semi-urban areas, who relish mass entertainment and watch films munching ver kadalai and sundal rather than butter popcorn! I believe in commercial formula films, with larger-than-life characters, which work in the interior parts of Tamil Nadu.
Don't you feel embarrassed making some of these crass commercials?
I'm proud of the films I make. As an actress, my biggest hit was Chinna Thambi, which had all the essential commercial ingredients and made me a star. A few of my fans even built a temple for me in a village near Tiruchi! How many people have seen my class act in Jathi Malli, one of my biggest flops? From time immemorial, the mindset of the B & C audiences is the same ' they want to be entertained and not preached. They have enough problems in their day-to-day life and are looking to have a good time at the movies.
How confident are you about the success of Aindham Padai, which is also crucial for your husband Sundar C as an action hero?
The movie has shaped out well. It is pure paisa vasool entertainment; a joyride full of action, sentiments, comedy and all other items which my audiences are looking for. The film also has nice songs. Sundar had a bad patch, and I'm sure this film will be a big boost to his career as an action hero.
You seem to have worked out your career well as an actress, producer, television hostess and a housewife. How do you manage to do so many things successfully?
I try to strike a balance and it has worked well so far. For me, my daughters are very important. When it comes to Sundar, we avoid talking about work at home. Both of us are independent people as far as our work is concerned and are happy about it.
What are your future plans?
I will be getting into direction early next year. Unlike other women directors in Tamil who believe in meaningful, realistic or women-oriented films, I want to make a mass masala entertainer. My role model is Farah Khan, who is the only woman in Indian cinema who caters to the mass audiences.