Director Sabbir Khan, whose film 'Heropanti' marks the debut of Jackie Shroff's son Tiger, says it was fun to work with 22 newcomers in the movie.

Khan, best known for his Akshay Kumar-Kareena Kapoor starrer 'Kambhakkt Ishq', feels it is not important to have big names to sell a movie. "Though the movie does not have a star, people will still like it because we are telling a good story. They have liked the songs and promos and I think it will do well at the box office on word of mouth publicity," Khan told PTI. The film, slated to release this Friday, is produced by Sajid Nadiadwala and is a remake of a Telugu movie 'Parugu', starring Allu Arjun. The soundtrack for the movie has been composed by Sajid-Wajid. 'Heropanti', also starring newcomer Kirti Sanon, is a love story set in the present India.


Khan says he has tried to address social issues through the movie even though it is primarily a love story. When asked how he came to finalise Tiger's name for the lead role, Khan said it took them two weeks to decide on Tiger. "We had the script ready and one day Tiger Shroff came to the office seeking work as an aspiring actor. It was only after two weeks that he was finalized for the role of Bablu Sharma.

Then Kirti was launched opposite him. The film has 22 newcomers and the crew was also new. It was tough but exciting to work with so many debutants," Khan said. This is Khan's second movie after 'Kambhakkt Ishq' which came in 2009. Asked why he took such a long break after his first film, the director said he wanted to figure out his mistakes. "I just don't want to be a commercial filmmaker.


I want to provoke the audiences through my films. I feel I have a responsibility towards the society as a director." Khan has previously assisted the likes of Mahesh Bhatt and David Dhawan. "Mahesh Bhatt is my mentor and guru and I have got a lot of confidence from him. He is outspoken and gives great freedom. Sanjay Dutt had introduced me to David Dhawan and that's how I got to know how to use comedy."