"Writers are favourite whipping boys of the film industry. It is easy to blame writers for lack of good scripts and say that there is shortage of good writers. But, do the producers and actors attempt to shift from tried and tested formulas?" Chhel, director of forthcoming Man gaye Mughal-e-Azam said.

The director, whose film is slated to release on August 22 rejected the belief that the spate of remakes in the past two years are a result of lack of good script writers.

Writing is the blueprint of film making and a dress rehearsal for direction, he said adding direction is a logical progression for a writer.

"Writers have no creative control over their content and hence turning director is the best option before them," Sanjay said.

He agreed that writers are not given money and respect that is due to them in the industry.

Man gaye Mughal-e-Azam is an unique idea. It is a black comedy, Chhel said.

"I have tried all genres within comedy in my last few films. I think I am acceptable more in comedy. It will be difficult to break through this image," he added.

On why he chose actors like Mallika Sherawat, Rahul Bose and Kay Kay Menon instead of other commercial actors, Chhel said, "Mallika is a star in her own right. She was an apt casting because I needed an actress who is glamorous, seductive and witty."

"A serious looking actor like Rahul and an intense actor like Kay Kay Menon doing comedy give an edge to the characterisation," he added.

The director said when he signed Sanjay Dutt for Khubsoorat, he was doing only action films.

"Mine was the first feel-good comedy that he (Sanjay Dutt) did and later followed up with the Munnabhai series," Chhel said adding, it was a challenge for him to try and change the image of an actor.

"My next film as writer-director-lyricist will be called Fantastic and it will go on floors next month. Paresh Rawal, Konkana Sen Sharma, Neha Dhupia and Rahul Bose are the main cast," he said.