Every year 55000 minor girls are abducted countrywide and pushed into flesh trade. This shocking number motivated filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor into planning a movie titled 'Lakshmi' on the unfortunate ones.

'Lakshmi' is on human trafficking, based in real life story and the filmmaker is not bothered how it performs at the box office. There is substantial number of people who like such reality based movies.

Talking to the media persons Nagesh explained that the film is a tale about a 13-year-old-girl, who got pushed into prostitution and fought back her tormentors.

"I feel this story needs to be told to the audience it is not to shock anyone. It's a true story. I don't think of box office results when I make a film. I don't think how many number of people will watch it. There is an audience out there or such kind of films. I want to make a film every year where I don't think of numbers," Kukunoor said.

The idea for this film came to Kukunoor from the NGO he supports. It rehabilitates children who gets pushed into sex trade.

During his interaction with several girls there, he came across a lot of harrowing cases but the story about the 13-year-old stood out and grabbed his attention.

"This tale I felt was best as it encapsulates all these stories. I have incorporated many stories into this film but the central story is of Lakshmi standing up against her traffickers. I cannot imagine the kind of courage and strength it required. I have been drawn to human stories that display heroism," he said.

Through this film, he plans to try and reach the largest possible audience. They also intend to reach people through NGOs, social activists and even in some red light areas.

Incidentally, playback singer Monali Thakur is playing the protagonist in the film.

Kukunoor saw Monali at a party and thought she would be fit to play the role.

"I started auditioning girls who were 14 and 15 year old. The matter was so sensitive that when I began interacting with their parents I felt it was too early for them (girls) to get exposed to this thing," he said.

"Then I started auditioning again and was looking at people who are bit older.. I happened to see Monali in a party and felt she was the right choice. I was not sure if she would act in the film but she agreed," the director added.

Monali says she never planned to be an actor.

"When I heard the script, this topic I was thrilled. I don't know what I was prepared for.. the crew and Nagesh made me do everything. I followed them," she adds.

The film, which will have a January release, also stars Kukunoor himself as a pimp. Besides, there is Shefali Shah, Ram Kapoor and Satish Kaushik.