MUMBAI: Veteran filmmaker Lekh Tandon is returning to films with a musical family drama, likely to be produced by Rajshri Films.

Tandon is not only credited with launching the career of Shah Rukh Khan in a TV serial Fauji, but was also instrumental in providing a break to Shammi Kapoor (Professor in 1962 and Prince in 1966), Rajendra Kumar and Saira Banu (Jhuk Gaya Aasman in 1968) and  resurrecting the professional career of Rajesh Khanna ( Agar Tum Na Hote in 1983) and many others.

Tandon, who is in his late eighties, says, “I am gearing myself to direct a film. It will belong to the family drama genre. Either one of the older banners or I myself will produce the film.”

Tandon has made films like Amrapali, Jhuk Gaya Aasman, Dulhan Wohi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye, Doosri Dulhan and others. Do Raahain was his last film in 1997, starring Meenakshi Sheshadri and others. Tandon has also made television serials like Phir Wohi Talash and Dil Dariya and others, one of his last TV ventures being Aisa Des Hai Mera for Sony. The last time he featured on film was in a cameo role in Ashutosh Gowariker’s Swades.