Mumbai, Aug 7 - Actor Anupam Kher could have opted for a conventional subject and a known star cast for the first film of his new production house. But he chose to make 'Teree Sang', a film on teen pregnancy starring newcomers, as he didn't wish to play safe.

'I have loved wearing different hats at different times and have actually never played safe. You have to try and take risks in your life. I guess only mediocre people play safe. By saying that I am not implying that I am great or something, but then what's the point in doing something which everyone else is also doing?' Anupam told IANS in an interview.

Released Friday, 'Teree Sang' has been produced by Kher's Karol Bagh Film and Entertainment. It is directed by Satish Kaushik, also the co-producer of the movie that stars Ruslaan Mumtaz and Sheena Shahabadi.

'All through my career I have broken quite a few myths,' said Anupam.

'I played a man way past his prime in my very first major film ('Saaransh') when in reality I was still in my 20s. A few years down the line I played a gay character called Pinkoo in 'Mast Kalandar' (1991) when even the word 'gay' was not known as it is today.'

A veteran of close to 300 films, he has played varied roles in his 25-year-long career. In 2002, he forayed into direction with 'Om Jai Jagadish' and also produced critically acclaimed films like 'Bariwali' (1999) and 'Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Maara' (2005). He has also been quite active in the theatre circuit.

His 'Teree Sang' has come at a time when another film, 'Love Aaj Kal', has just completed a one-week run in theatres and is looking quite positive in its second week too. There is competition from Ram Gopal Varma's 'Agyaat' too while next week looks tough due to 'Kaminey' and 'Life Partner'.