Mainstream cinema not my cup of tea: Nandita Das

Mumbai, April 24 (IANS) Critically acclaimed actress-director Nandita Das, who took a sabbatical to take care of her baby, is set to be back with a bang - but says she would rather stay away from mainstream cinema.

"I am very happy doing the kind of films that I do. Of course even that's a gamble, not all the films turn the way it is imagined. It's strange, even after 15 years people keep asking me why I don't do commercial films," Nandita said here.

Nandita has explored distinctive characters in her movies like "Fire", "Earth", "Bawandar", "Aks" and "I Am". Nevertheless, she maintains that she has nothing against mainstream commercial cinema.

"It's just that I don't relate to commercial films. I don't watch commercial cinema much, so there is no ambition to be in it. Mainstream cinema is not my cup of tea," she added.

For now the actress has signed two films and says both are based on contemporary subjects.

"I am finally doing two films. This is my first film after my little baby, who is now 20 months old. I am doing one Tamil film with Rama Swamy, who won three National awards for his films and also a Hindi film by Devashi Bakshi," said Nandita, who married Mumbai-based Subodh Maskara in 2010.

"Both films are on very interesting stories, unfortunately with no songs and rural characters. Both are contemporary subjects and I am happy to be part of it," she added.

Nandita, who directed "Firaaq", which was highly appreciated, says she is in search of a good story which urges her to go behind the camera once again.

"" would like to direct. 'Firaaq' was the most challenging experience in my life but it was also very fulfilling. I would definitely want to direct I am in look for a story,""the 42-year-old said.