It took a dance bar to skyrocket him to fame. Not many know that just like Quentin Tarantino (of ‘Kill Bill’ fame), he ran a video library bar and studied cinema with this quick access to films. From the video library bar to ‘Chandni Bar’ — national award winning film-maker Madhur Bhandarkar has come a long way. ‘Page 3’, ‘Corporate’ to ‘Traffic Signal’, Madhur’s hard hitting style of cinema-making has created lasting impressions in the pages of Indian film history. His upcoming film is ‘Fashion’, showcasing the dark side of the couture world. Recently in the City to inaugurate a gym, Metrolife took the opportunity to speak to the master of new-wave realism on Bangalore, ‘Fashion’ and more.
Is this your first visit to Bangalore?
I visited the City ten years ago for a friend’s engagement function. I was not “Madhur Bhandarkar” those days. I was a struggler. I remember eating masala dosa on M G Road. It used to be a beautiful big road. I would love to revisit it. Bangalore has emerged as a hi-tech City with a popular mall culture today.
Madhur Bhandarkar inaugurating a gym! That’s quite unconventional. Is there something we don’t know?
While working on my film ‘Fashion’, I had some free time. I decided to get into fitness. My friend introduced me to fitness expert Leena Mogre. Her gym in Mumbai is close to my house. With her help, I lost seven to eight kgs in nine months. No, I am not attempting six-pack abs (laughs). Also, Leena’s son assisted me for one particular schedule of ‘Fashion’. In fact, Leena plays herself in my film as well. That’s my association with Leena and the story behind the inauguration of Leena Mogre’s Specialised Fitness Gym.
Coming to your upcoming flick ‘Fashion’, what prompted you to take up this subject?
With ‘Page 3’ and ‘Corporate’, I dealt with the elitist world. I spoke about the poor street life through ‘Traffic Signal’. Fashion is yet another elitist subject that has high-glam factor. It gets great media hype. The masses have only seen the glitz on the ramp. It’s very intriguing to see what happens behind it – behaviour of the models and designers, norms of the fashion industry and more. There is a lot of meat.
What ground work did you do for this film?
I spent almost nine months researching on this subject. I saw at least 70 fashion shows, excluding the fashion weeks in Mumbai and Delhi. I spoke to a lot of people from the industry – journalists, buyers, sponsors, designers - and got a lot of dope. The jealousy factor is very high in this industry. Models are out to topple each other as the profession has a very short life span.
Whoever has closely seen the Indian fashion industry today, will agree that it is all about the male than the female. Does your film expose the rampant homosexuality that exists in this glamour industry?
I do not want to elaborate. But yes, we are delving into this topic as well. There are two gay designers played by Harsh Chhaya and Samir Soni. Many people from the industry are scared of the film and what it is going to expose. A lot of people may get offended as well. But it’s my take on the industry and is based on solid research.
Fashion has been reported as your biggest budget film. How much money has been spent?
I have spent Rs 17 crore on ‘Fashion’, as against Rs four crore on my earlier films. ‘Fashion’ needed that lavish look. It’s about richness, foreigners and celebrities. The film has been shot in Mumbai, Chandigarh (for Priyanka Chopra’s background) and some portions may be shot in Paris or Milan. I am working with top-of-the-line people from the fashion industry – style consultant Rita Dhody, choreographer Lubna Adams and
designer Narendra Kumar who has designed the clothes for the film.
How did you arrive at the cast?
All my stars were my first choice. Priyanka Chopra fitted the bill of the protagonist, a simple girl who becomes a
supermodel.
The film is from Priyanka’s point of view. Kangana Ranaut has the strong face for the character I have sketched for her. There are several rumours running around with regard to Kangana’s character. Some say that she is playing Kate Moss, others Geetanjali Nagpal and some others Carol Gracias. I am not going to reveal it. Model Mugdha Ghodse plays a catholic girl named Janet. And trust me, all the three have distinct personalities. Karan Johar is also in the film. Designer Rohit Bal has not confirmed yet.
‘Chandni Bar’, ‘Page 3’, ‘Corporate’, ‘Traffic Signal’ – hard hitting exposes is your forte. Have you won a lot of enemies?
(laughs) I have received both bouquets and brickbats for my films. For instance, the beggar community got upset with ‘Traffic Signal’. At signals, they would complain to me that their “dhandha” has been affected because of my film. For ‘Page 3’, many socialites told me that paedophilia does not exist. At the same time, my film has been used as a case study at IIM (Ahmedabad). My films are not judgmental. They are a mirror to the society.
Reportedly, ‘Fashion’ is your last female-oriented film. Is this true?
Possibly. I am looking at a male-oriented subject now. But if I fall upon a great female-oriented topic, I will go ahead.
Do you want to explore other genres of cinema?
Experimental cinema is my niche. I am not against candyfloss cinema. I am the biggest fan of Manmohan Desai and David Dhawan’s films. My style involves realism and will always do. I would love to make a love story, but with realistic parameters. For instance, ‘Ek Duje Ke Liye’.
Ten years from now…
Ten years ago, I was eating dosa on M G Road, travelling by autorickshaws and buses. Did I know that one day I will receive national awards! I want to go with the flow.
