Suniel Shetty has disclosed that he will not act in his latest home production and that this decision may extend to future projects as well.

"I have made a conscious decision not to take up any roles in Popcorn productions, starting with this film," Suniel Shetty told Bollywood Trade.

"I would rather act in other films and concentrate on the production of my films, which is far less strenuous."

"When you are acting in a film, you end up playing mediator between the director and the artistes if there is any tension on the sets. It is better being a producer and taking decisions strictly as a producer."

According to Suniel, he played the role in "Rakht" more out of compulsion than by choice.

"I took it up at the last moment because there was no other plausible actor for that role," said Suniel.

He has also decided to go slow on the production front, presumably due to the box-office losses of his last two films.

"I have definitely become cautious. After the film with Priyadarshan, there is only one other film in the offing, which I am planning to launch by the end of next year.

"I want to play safe when it comes to choosing scripts for Popcorn Motion Pictures, but only for the time being. After two years, Popcorn will be back on the production front in a big way."

However, Suniel does not attribute the failure of his productions to their script or content.

"It is not just Popcorn, several producers have also had to face losses this year. The whole system faces insurmountable problems of distribution set-up, release timings, piracy, etc.

"We should have laws to clamp down on piracy, as in Kerala, where a two-year prison sentence for piracy has hiked the Malayalam film industry's business by 75 percent," said Suniel.

The actor is now looking forward to his forthcoming releases, "Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav" and "Hulchul".

"The first is a crazy comedy that has nothing to do with Laluji (Railway Minister Lalu Prasad), though his appearance is definitely the film's USP. The second is an emotional comedy, which will make audiences laugh and cry."

Suniel is particularly vocal about the close bonding he shares with director Priyadarshan.

"I think he's a brilliant human being and a great director. "Hulchul" is my fourth film with him and I intend to continue working with him forever."

Suniel added that he is quite contented with his career at the moment.

"I have been around for almost 15 years now. I have seen a lot of failure in the last two-three years of my career, but that hasn't really made a difference.

"I have maintained my dignity and self-respect under trying circumstances.

"I still have the best production houses, like Feroz Nadiadwalla and Venus, backing me, and of course, partners like Ashtavinayak, who are ready to stand by me through thick and thin.

"What more can one ask for," concluded the actor.