Have to stop viewing films as female-led, a good story will always connect: Karan Boolani

Mumbai: "Thank You For Coming" director Karan Boolani says filmmakers need to stop viewing movies as "women-oriented" and focus on narrating good stories.

The coming-of-age comedy follows the story of Kanika Kapoor (Bhumi Pednekar), a single woman in her 30s, and her quest for true love and pleasure. The script is penned by Radhika Anand and Prashasti Singh. Released on Friday, the film has earned Rs 2.62 crore nett at the domestic box office.

Boolani, known for directing the spy thriller TV show “24”, starring Anil Kapoor, and a web series “Selection Day”, said one needs to be honest towards storytelling.

“For me, a good story always makes the cut. If one has made a film with honesty and integrity it will find its audience. We have to stop viewing films as ‘female-led’ or ‘women-oriented’. A good story will always connect and will find its audience,” the director told PTI in an interview.

Boolani said the one-line description given by Anand was enough for him to say yes to directing "Thank You For Coming".

“As soon as I heard Radhika’s description, I fell in love and wanted to find out more. The idea was extremely fresh and honest but also really funny. I was curious to explore this. "While at the surface, the film talks about a woman’s pleasure, through the course of the film we have touched upon various subjects. I’ve worked very closely with Radhika and Prashasti, understand what is the core of their story and found a way to protect and empathise (with) it.” The director said he has been an admirer of Pednekar's work and she was the apt choice for this movie.

"Bhumi is somebody whose work who I have always admired. She is sowmebody who is very self-aware and in touch with her emotions and more importantly has the talent to express them. She was always my first choice for the role of Kanika,” he said.

Actors Dolly Singh, Kusha Kapila and Shibani Bedi round out the cast of the film, which has received mixed reviews.

“Thank You For Coming” is produced by Rhea Kapoor and Ektaa R Kapoor.