New Delhi, Aug 1 - Director Tarun Mansukhani made his debut with the hit 'Dostana' under Karan Johar's banner and he has no plans to shift to any other production house despite being flooded by offers. He says his loyalty to Dharma Productions is 'too strong' to be bought.
'I received several calls from several producers (post 'Dostana')... But everyone in the industry knows my loyalty to Karan is too strong. No amount of money or fame can buy that,' Mansukhani told IANS in an e-mail interview.
'Karan gave me freedom to make the film I wanted... with no pressures of budgets and market expectations and for that I'm eternally grateful,' he added.
Mansukhani plans to stick with the 37-year-old filmmaker.
'It's been 12 years in films now... and all those years have been spent in one institution, in one family - the Johars. And they've always taught me to dream big. And I have.
'But what surprises me every now and then is Karan. He seems to have bigger dreams for me than I have for myself. So I hope both our dreams come true... and we can continue to make films together till our sanity remains,' said Mansukhani, who started his career as an assistant director to Karan for 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' (1998).
In 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' (2001) and 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' (2006) Mashukhani worked as first assistant director. He credits the success of his comical hit to Karan.
'The only reason that 'Dostana' happened, got the buzz, the opening, the reaction was because it was a film presented by Karan Johar. That name stands for quality wholesome entertainment. And that name backs me. There's nothing more thunderous than that,' he said.
The 33-year-old admits that he is in awe of his mentor.