He then acted in films such as "Kaun" (1999) and "Shool" (1999). He later collaborated with Varma in scripting "Kaun" (1999) and writing dialogues for "Shool" (1999). Nevertheless, she received praise for her performance in the crime drama "Shool". He also started appearing in commercial films, like "Shool" and "Arjun Pandit". She also received praise from critics for her performance in "Shool". He went back to cinema and joined the team of Eeshwar Nivas for Shool film. In 1999, he won the National Film Award for directing "Shool". These include "Drohkaal", "Kachche Dhaage," "Aks", "Yeh Dil", "Soch" and "Shool".