After tickling the funny bones of audience with comic capers like 'Hungama' and 'Hera Pheri' for more then a deacde, director Priyadarshan has now decided to take a break from comedy to focus on social issues.

"I'm making a film on honour killings with Akshay Khanna and Ajay Devgan in the backdrop of Nothern India. I am planning to make a film on AIDS and another one on female

infanticide. My next films are not comedies," Priyadarshan, who was in the capital to receive the national award for 'Kanchivaram', said in an interview.

'Kanchivaram', a period drama about the struggle of silk weavers of the south won the national award for best film and the encouragement has boosted the director's confidence in trying his hands on realistic cinema.

"Issues like AIDS and female infanticide are very close to me and have been lying in my heart for so long. Now I have the encouragement to try my hands on them," Priyadarshan said.

The filmmaker who along with his good friend, actor Mohanlal created cult hits in Malayalam like 'Chitram' and 'Kilukkam' also took a dig at the Indian entries sent to the Academy awards.

"Every country sends their best film there but we send trash to the Oscars. That is something which is very hard. The government should request that the films selected for National Awards should be sent," said Priyadarshan who has carved out a niche for himself in both commercial and art cinema.

Priyadarshan is also excited about his upcoming movie 'De Dana Dan' which will see the trio of Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty and Paresh Rawal from his earlier hit 'Hera Pheri' reuniting for some rib tickling humour.

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