Omung Kumar: I don’t make films for awards

There might be many who feel ‘Sarbjit’ stands a strong chance at the next National Awards, but director Omung Kumar says it’s not something he is thinking about right now.

Omung’s directorial debut ‘Mary Kom’ had won a National Award for best popular film providing wholesome entertainment.

‘Sarbjit’, which released this Friday, is based on the life of Indian national Sarabjit Singh, who was convicted of terrorism and spying by a Pakistani court.

When asked if he is expecting another National Award, Omung told PTI, “I don’t make movies for awards. It should be seen by everyone, it should be a success in that way. You are not making a film for yourself obviously. If we do get awards, then nothing like it.”

“Everybody dreams of a National Award, it is something which makes you proud. But I am not thinking about that as of now,” he said.

The biopic follows Sarabjit’s sister Dalbir Kaur’s struggle and relentless fight for her brother’s freedom. While Randeep Hooda played the titular character, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan portrayed his strong-willed sister.

Both of Omung’s films centered around strong women.

The director, however, revealed that the first time he took to a woman-oriented subject, it wasn’t because of any inclination towards female characters but because he found difficult to get dates of male actors.

“The first time an irritated part of me took a female oriented subject. I was writing films earlier, while doing production design, they were all actor-oriented roles. And suddenly, even though all actors are friends, it was getting difficult to get their dates. I said leave it,” he said.

“I told my writer to find me a female-oriented story and I’ll give it to an actress who won’t say no to me. That time biopics weren’t there at all. Finally we came across ‘Mary Kom’,” Omung said.

Inputs from PTI

Also Read: BOLLYWOOD CELEBRITIES ALL PRAISE FOR ‘SOLID’ PERFORMANCES IN ‘SARBJIT’

Amod Pandit

Quiet, resonant, and creative, he can be seen immersed in his own world, and puts in his heart and soul into the one passion that he has, Bollywood. His line for survival? Feel happy to be a part of it.