Paresh Mokashi, the director of India's official entry to the Oscars Harishchadrachi Factory, has dismissed recent reports that he faced problems while trying to get an American visa. In fact the filmmaker says he's already been granted a 10 year multiple entry visa for the US.

"In fact I was lacking certain papers to support my case. But even then I didn't face any problems. I have already got a 10 year visa from the US embassy. I only had to undergo a routine interview. This is the same for all individuals applying for a US visa. Why should they treat me any differently?," he said while speaking to NDTVMovies.com on phone.

Mokashi, who expects to be in the US to promote his film for the Oscars, expressed displeasure about reports that he had been denied a US visa. "I have never said anything of this sort. If there was any problem, it was because I failed to provide all relevant documents. But even that didn't prove to be a roadblock at the end. When the Embassy retained my passport it was clear that they intended to grant me a visa," he said.

"Some people just assumed I had been denied a visa," he added.

Talking about the promotional plans for the film in the US, Mokashi said the efforts were to take Harishchadrachi Factory as much into Hollywood mainstream as possible. According to him: "Besides screening the film at festivals in the US, we will also hold special shows for some well known personalities. We have enough budgets to promote the film to whatever extent required."

Mokashi was cautious in reacting to filmmaker Priyadarshan's recent comments about India sending 'trash to the Oscars'. "It's his opinion. Unless I watch all the films that are possible candidates for India's entry to the Oscars, it would not be fair on my part to comment," he said.

The filmmaker insisted he wouldn't let India's past failures at the Oscars affect his own campaign. "We will keep that experience in the background while promoting Harishchadrachi Factory in the US. Rest is for the Academy to decide," he said.