Actor Nandita Das’s directorial debut Firaaq, which deals with the impact of violence on human psyche and relationships, is ready for release on March 20.

The film has bagged acclaim and awards in international film festivals.

The critically acclaimed actress, who already proved her guts with exceptional performances in ‘Fire, ‘Earth’ and ‘Bawandar’, said that she is not ambitious in any way.

She also said that she doesn’t want to prove anything to the world with her upcoming film ‘Firaaq’.

While answering that why she prefers to keep herself away from mainstream cinema, Nandita said, “I think not being ambitious frees me from the pressure of proving to the world. I would love to explore different genres and characters, but not those that defy my basic sensibilities and interests.”

Nandita, who is famous in Pakistan for her role in ‘Ramchand Pakistani’, said she entered the film world by default.

“I have instinctively anchored towards projects that I can relate to, that resonated with my interests, concerns and dilemma. I didn't grow up with mainstream cinema and I somehow never could relate to it,” she said.

For her, social activism, acting or even directing a film, all lead to the same goal to react to sufferings around her.

"I get affected by the sufferings around me and simply react to it in the way I can. “Firaaq” happened because I felt compelled to bring out certain stories," she said.

Produced by Percept Picture Company (PPC), Firaaq is an India film presenting sectarian aggression as an experience of common people after communal riots in Gujarat in 2002.

The star cast of the film includes Nasseruddin Shah, Paresh Rawal, Dipti Naval, Raghubir Yadav, Sanjay Suri, Tisca Chopra, Shahana Goswami and Nowaz.

More than 2,000 Muslims were killed by Hindu mobs in the Gujarat riots of 2002, the impact of which is depicted in the movie.

Firaaq won top honours at the Asian Festival of First Films 2008 in Singapore, where it won the awards for "Best Film", "Screenplay / Script", and "Foreign Correspondents Assn. Purple Orchid Award for Best Film".

The film has also won awards at other international film festivals, including the Special Prize award at the International Thessaloniki Film Festival in Greece, the Special Jury Award at the International Film Festival of Kerala, and the Best Editor award for the film's editor Sreekar Prasad at the Dubai International Film Festival. It will be released in India on the 20th of March 2009.