Los Angeles, Feb 16 (IANS): Filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, whose film "Split" will release in India on February 24, says he treats the scripts of his film like a play.

"I treat the script like a play, that's always how I refer to it and I don't alter lines. I want actors to realise they're much more pliable than they think they are," Shyamalan said in a statement.

The film stars actor James McAvoy as Kevin who has 23 distinct personalities.

Nine of the 23 split personalities showcased in the film required McAvoy to alter his acting skills to suit the personalities portrayed.

Shyamalan said: "He said the exact words in the script but ad-libbed with this face and physicality. James would bring these incredible new aspects to the table. We got into that wonderful rhythm where things that were sacred to me weren't touched but only heightened."

The film also features actors Anya Taylor-Joy, Betty Buckley, Jessica Sula and Haley Lu Richardson.