Judd Apatow thinks he's like an ''indie rock band''.

The 47-year-old filmmaker - who's directed popular movies such as 'Knocked Up' and 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin' - has admitted he views every film as an ''experiment'' and is pleasantly surprised by his own success.

He explained: ''Every joke and every movie is an experiment, so you never know if it's going to work.

''I've always liked what I'm working on but there have been times when I thought that there were only a small percentage of people who would agree with me.

''I felt more like an indie rock band. I'm always happy when something does really well, but a lot of the things I like aren't very popular so I will think about to heal my wounds when nobody shows up.''

Meanwhile, Judd - whose parents divorced when he was a child - admitted he likes to see traditional relationships prosper at the end of his movies.

He told the Guardian newspaper: ''As a child of divorce I probably root for people to make their relationships work.

''I guess I could make movies about people who end up sad and alone or alone and thrilled, and maybe I will one day, but usually I root for people to make human connections and find happiness in a somewhat healthy relationship.

''I don't see that as a conservative value. I just like to be hopeful.''