This story is from March 4, 2009

I knew Kangana would win: Bhandarkar

MONIKA RAWAL / Mar 4, 2009, 00:00 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Madhur Bhandarkar might have missed out on the trophy for Best Director at the recently held 54th Idea Filmfare Awards, but he’s content that the leading ladies of his film 'Fashion' got their due appreciation.

Madhur Bhandarkar might have missed out on the trophy for Best Director at the recently held 54th Idea Filmfare Awards, but he��s content that the leading ladies of his film Fashion got their due appreciation.
As Priyanka Chopra won the award for Best Actor (in a leading role) and Kangana Ranaut got lauded with Best Supporting Actor award, Bhandarkar had all reasons to smile and celebrate.
The filmmaker was nominated as Best Director for Fashion along with A.R. Murugadoss (Ghajini), Abhishek Kapoor (Rock On!), Aditya Chopra (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi), Ashutosh Gowariker (Jodhaa Akbar) and Neeraj Pandey (A Wednesday).
We caught up with Bhandarkar, who shared his journey to Fashion, his leading ladies and more...

What was your first thought when Kangana��s name was announced, bagging Fashion its first Filmfare award of the night?
When Kangana��s name was announced, I was backstage with her, as I was supposed to present the next award for best supporting actor (male). So, when we heard her name for the Best Supporting actor (female), it was a moment to rejoice!
Do you think Kangana did justice to her character in Fashion?
When the script was narrated to Kangana and she became aware of Priyanka and Mughda��s roles, she was reluctant to take up her character. She feared that she wouldn't have much to do in the film, with two ladies already in leading roles. I told her to go by the strength of the role, and not its length. When she agreed to play the part, I told her right there that this role would surely fetch an award for Best Supporting Actress. That came true at the Filmfare Awards night!

How did Priyanka react to her now much-talked-about character?
Priyanka loved the script when she heard it. But, she was too apprehensive and asked if it wasn't too early for her to do such a role. She felt the character had too many grey shades, several ups and downs �� she had to drink, smoke, take drugs and so on. I told her to keep the faith and that the role would certainly get her applause.
How do you feel when you watch your cast walk away with all the awards... and the credit?
I've always got my due credit from my cast and crew. It works both ways, I gave them a role and it was their performance that was appreciated. As a filmmaker, I have total conviction about the actor who would fit a particular part �� I go by a gut feeling. All my leading ladies, from Tabu, Konkona to Priyanka and Kangana, have got what they deserved.
Apart from the ladies, who else do you think did an outstanding job in Fashion?
Arbaaz Khan undoubtedly! He was wonderful and into his character so well, I'm so happy for him. He didn��t get any nominations for this role, but the appreciation he received is unmatched. He told me that he has been getting endless messages for his character and it has opened many avenues for him in the industry.
With Fashion getting mixed reactions from the audience, how did the Delhi fashion fraternity react to its portrayal?
Delhi is my second home and I have many friends here. Everyone loved the film (Fashion) and I got a standing ovation when the fraternity saw it in Mumbai. But, you know, there��s always a microscopic minority where people have their own interpretations and don��t share a same mindset as yours, which is perfectly understandable.
What drove you to make Fashion, despite the controversies?
More than anyone else, people from within the film fraternity said I was an orphan in the industry. A lot of people here felt it (Fashion) was a big budget movie (Rs 18 crore), as compared to my earlier Rs 4 crore projects. So, many eyebrows were raised and people wondered if I knew anything about the glamour world and so on. But, once it hit the box office and won national acclaim, my belief paid off. I knew I could make a Rs one-and-a-half crore Chandani Bar and a Rs 20 crore Fashion too.
You were also nominated in the Best Director category for Fashion. Why do you think you missed it? Do you think you lost out to mainstream commercial cinema?
I was nominated for Best Director and I assert that Fashion is a commercial piece and it has got the National Award. So in a way, it��s the biggest honour we could have expected. And I never go into the parameters of what jury had in their mind or what criterion they follow while judging a movie. It��s their decision and if they felt there were much more deserving films to get the award, I��m fine with it. No regrets if I didn��t get it and I still say jury is the boss.
You��ve often been touted as the only reality filmmaker in Bollywood. The trend has been picked up by other directors too. Is the Hindi film industry changing?
I never follow a trend and go on a different track in every film that I make. Chandani Bar was a totally different concept from Trafiic Signal, which was about slums and poverty, Fashion was a shift towards the world of glamour �� there has been a continuous transition and strong contrasts. I have never repeated my work. If I have any competition, it is with me, myself. Whatever issues I take up in my films, I believe in the integrity of the script and in sticking to the genre of cinema I believe in, which also brings me success.
So, what��s next?
Next on the agenda is Jail, which again is a fresh concept. It deals with the trials of a common man when he is jailed. It has Neil Nitin Mukesh, Mughda Godse, Manoj Bajpai... we��ll start shooting for it soon.
monika.rawal@indiatimes.co.in
Also Read:
Top sex mistakes men make
Things you didn't know about human brain
Temptations post engagement
Depression ups heart ailments
Smell of rotten eggs is a big turn on for men!

End of Article