All films are a reflection of times: Tanuj Virmani

One-film-old Tanuj Virwani says all films are a reflection and product of the times that "we live in".

The youngster, who made his debut in 2013 with Joe Rajan directed "Love U Soniyo", which sank without a trace at the box office, will now be seen in "Purani Jeans", which talks about friendship and the protagonist believes that "friendship is like a pair of old jeans - the older it gets, the better it becomes".

The 26-year-old feels that the theme of love, family and friendship is "universal", "but the treatment meted out to the film ('Purani Jeans') is quite different."

"At the end of the day, whether it is we as human beings or films that we make, it is the product of the times that you live in. The films made in 1970s, 1980s and 1990s were all diversely different. We all are in now 2014," Tanuj told IANS in a telephonic interview.

"This is my second film. There is no college or campus in our film. It's a film that salvages life and youth," he added.

Directed by Tanushri Chatterji Bassu, "Purani Jeans" also stars Aditya Seal and Izabelle Leite in the lead roles. It is set to release May 2.

Talking about his camaraderie with his co-stars, he said: "Most of us are newcomers and it was important for us to share a good screen chemistry. I got along with everyone, be it Izabelle, Aditya and all the others in the film. If you are genuinely involved with someone that translates on the screen. You cannot fake that on the screen."

The actor, who worked as an assistant director in "Aao Wish Karein" and "Chance Pe Dance", also shares the screen space with his mother and actress Rati Agnihotri "Purani Jeans".

Although he has so far done only two films, he feels an actor should not get stuck with the same kind of roles.

"I'd like to do a nice thriller, something edgy, something racy, because it is important to keep surprising and exploring yourself. Otherwise the audience will get bored of you easily," he said when asked about his choice of roles in future.

He takes inspiration from Aamir Khan and believes that an actor needs to reinvent himself.

"Whether it's a commercial or a feature film, Aamir Khan constantly reinvents himself and that is very inspiring for me personally."

He has a few films in his kitty.

"I have been signed by Eros Entertainment for a three-film contract. 'Purani jeans' is the first of the three films," he said.

Although he has started his journey in filmdom as an actor, but his long term dreams include going behind the camera to say "cut".

He said: "I have always had this 'keeda' of wanting to be a director. I have made a lot of flop films, which I had written, directed and even acted in some. Not in the near future, but at some point I would like to explore filmmaking."