Popularity no indication of a good film: Shyam Benegal

Towering box office collections are not the right parameter to declare that a movie is good, says filmmaker Shyam Benegal, known for his masterpieces like "Ankur" and "Mandi".

"Popularity does not indicate that a film is good. It just shows that it is popular. It does not indicate anything else," Bengal said Thursday at a press conference to launch a month long festival dedicated to his films on Zee Classic.

A film's objective is decided by its director, he said.

"The film that one makes is based on the director's perspective. What he wants from the film is very important. If he wants popular success at the cost of everything, then he will make a certain kind of film," he said.

Known for working with seasoned actors like Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Benegal regards stars as "magnets" who can pull the audience to the theatres.

"A star is like a magnet who pulls an audience. They help subjects, which otherwise might not interest the audience," he said.

"Dyslexia, a sujbect shown in Aamir Khan's 'Taare Zameen Par', might not have many films made on it. But it worked when a well-known star acted and presented it," added the National Award winner, who teamed up with mainstream stars like Karisma Kapoor and Rekha in "Zubeidaa".

He further added that not all stars use their image to promote such subjects through their films.