Director Anirudh Iyer on starting anew after ‘An Action Hero’: Have few stories I’ve been working on

New Delhi, Dec 19 (PTI): Following a gruelling promotional run for his directorial debut “An Action Hero”, filmmaker Anirudh Iyer says he will spend the remaining days of the year with his family.
The Mumbai-born director received rich reviews for the action-comedy thriller but the film fell short at the box office, something he is trying to wrap his mind around. Starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Jaideep Ahlawat, “An Action Hero” released on December 2.
A crackling exploration of the toxic relationship of film stars with media and fans, the movie follows superstar Maanav (Khurrana) who after getting caught up in an accident while filming tries to save his skin from the murderous municipal councillor Bhoora (Ahlawat). “I am going to take 15-20 days off because I haven’t been spending time with my family. I am going to take it easy. January 1 onwards, I’ll come back and start working again. Hopefully next time, we will do well in both aspects — reviews and box office,” Iyer told PTI in an interview. The filmmaker, who worked as an assistant on Aanand L Rai’s “Zero” and “Tanu Weds Manu Returns”, said like his first movie, his next will also have topical undertones.
“I have a few stories I have been working on. So, I want to open my books and pick something that makes sense to be told at this time,” he added.
As a first-time director, Iyer said he was a bundle of nerves before “An Action Hero” went on floors.
“It isn’t just the first-time directors. Even when you are making your 10th film, I am sure the feeling that goes through your mind is that you have seen the whole film in your head 10 times even before you start shooting.”
Once the shoot begins, things start changing, he said.
“It starts becoming real, so the whole perception that you have in your mind, it starts changing. It’s a scary feeling. But after you get past that first three-four hours, it starts to settle. You become more at ease,” the 33-year-old recalled.
As he waited in the wings shadowing Rai, who also backed “An Action Hero” via his Colour Yellow Productions, Iyer always dreamt of the day he would direct his first film.
“You always dream that one day you will make your own film. In that process you end up writing a lot of stories. I had created a bank of stories that I wanted to tell, when I eventually got there,” he said.