A Best Childrens Film honour at the 64th National Film Awards for his movie Dhanak has made Nagesh Kukunoor more confident about directing movies around children.
Known for portraying hard-hitting subjects through his films, Kukunoor said here: "At first, I said that I don't want to make children's films. Then after 15 years, I broke that promise with Dhanak. The children in that film were a joy to work with.
"Now I have the confidence to make more children's films."
Dhanak featured child actors Hetal Gadda and Krrish Chhabria in the lead.
Kukunoor spoke to the media here on Thursday at the launch of Ekta Kapoor's upcoming digital app ALTBalaji, for which he has helmed a web-series titled The Test Case.
Featuring the acclaimed actress Nimrat Kaur in the lead, it will focus on the life of a girl who works her way to take on a combat role in the Indian Army.
Talking about it, Kukunoor said: "The beauty of filmmaking is that I get to live different lives depending on which story I am doing. I go and invest time in that universe for a long period and that's what makes my job wonderful.
"Ever since I worked with Rannvijay Singha in Mod, I have become very close to his family, which has a lot people belonging to the Indian Army. I want to deal with this subject as honestly as possible."
Nimrat, whose father was in the army, is upbeat about the role.
On her preparations for the series, she said: "To play this part, I needed to develop endurance, physical strength and that capability to survive under severe conditions. I don't want to cheat myself and use body doubles. I personally felt of portraying this character, who wants to be an army officer."
She said the show was challenging for her.
"I am not trying to compete with men on the basis of physical strength, but I want to be the strongest version of me. I tried my best to do whatever I could. It's been challenging and the most rewarding experience that I have been through," Nimrat added.
Besides her, the series will also feature veteran actress Juhi Chawla as defence minister.
"The idea was the bring her for a cameo role, but there is a very strong chance that as the series goes on, we might keep writing more scenes for her," Kukunoor said.
"I have worked with Juhi a while back and was looking for some excuse to work with her again. So we cast her as minister," he added.