THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: From comedy films to the historical, noted multi-lingual film-maker Priyadarshan is now into the `realistic' genre.

His latest film in Tamil, `Kanjeevaram' was premiered here as the inaugural movie of the 101-day festival of the Soorya Stage and Film Society here.

After his success in Mollywood and in Bollywood, he has ventured to make what he calls a `realistic film' for which he enjoyed complete freedom.

"This is not an art film, but a realistic one that came straight from my heart. And I enjoyed the freedom while shooting for just 28 days," he told a meet-the-press arranged by the press club here.

`Kanjeevaram,' which was screened at the Toronto Festival recently, was a turning point in his life, Priyadarshan said. It was a subject he had been carrying in mind for nine years.

Noted actor Prakash Raj was chosen for the main role in the film as he wanted the actor express his real talents apart from the routine villain roles, Priyadarshan said.

The film uses the ancient Tamil language and Prakash Raj was the most apt man for the role, he said.

Priyadarshan said this was an era of two-week films. If a film did not collect initially, it would not be a commercial success. "When I make commercial movies, I have to think of what people will think before starting a venture. But this film, I made it for myself," he said.

To a question, he said Malayalam actors Mohanlal and Mammootty had survied for long in the industry because of their talent only. That was why producers who wanted an initial pull for their films prefer to choose them, Priyadarshan said.