Mumbai, Jan 29 (IANS) After working with veterans like Kamal Haasan, Mammootty and Mohanlal, director Mani Ratnam experienced another high treading the same path with Abhishek Bachchan, because he took to untested waters with tremendous confidence in "Guru".

"When Kamal did 'Nayakan', he had done a few roles that had him aged and demanded a lot of commitment from. He was already a veteran and a master. For Abhishek such physical preparation was a first. He was in a new zone. But he took to the untested waters with tremendous confidence," Ratnam told IANS.

Asked if he still thought shooting in Hindi that is an alien language for him was burdensome, he said: "My Hindi is improving in geometric progression. I started at zero and am gradually climbing up. No, I have not abandoned Tamil, if that is what you're asking. I have done five films after 'Dil Se', three in Tamil and two in Hindi."

Ratnam, who is known to be a disciplinarian and taskmaster on the sets, doesn't face any problems in handling stars.

"Star or no star, they are all actors. And if they are right for your role then they should be able to slip into the character quite well. We just make sure that there is enough in the character to be able to take the burden of the star's popularity," he said.

Excerpts from an interview with the filmmaker:

"Guru" is another bio-pic like "Nayakan". In fact, the physical preparation undertaken by Abhishek is reminiscent of Kamal Haasan's rigorous preparation. Did you get a similar level of commitment from both actors?

Absolutely. When Kamal Haasan did "Nayakan", he had done a few roles that had him aged and demanded a lot of commitment from. He was already a veteran and a master. For Abhishek such physical preparation was a first. He was in a new zone. But he took to the untested waters with tremendous confidence.