Madhur is fearless

National award-winning filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar���s latest film on the fashion industry has raked up quite a controversy.
As the fashionistas are up in arms against the filmmaker over his reportedly raw take on the murky happenings in the fashion world.
But, Madhur takes the criticism in his stride and tells us what the film is all about. Says he, ���In this film, you will get to see the inside story.I attended a lot of fashion shows, a lot of post-fashion show parties, met people, and interacted with the insiders. I have tried to take the viewer inside the fashion world, beyond the ramp to the real people from the fraternity.���
Is it true that some models faced the music for doing his film? ���Well, there are a lot of speculations and some hype surrounding the film,��� says he trying to skirt the issue. But, as we egg him on, he opens up a little. ���I guess, barring one or two, no one has had any problems,��� he explains.
But, is it true that the film is a stark representation of the fashion world? ���The movie is not 100 per cent reality. It is a mix of fact and fiction. It is not a statement on the fashion industry, but more of my take on it,��� clears Madhur.
He must have done a lot of research to present a portrait of the fashion world.
How hard did he have to work for it? ���Yes, definitely, I took about seven months to get my facts in place. There was no book which could come in handy, so I based my research on my personal dialogues and interactions with people from the industry,��� informs Madhur.
For a filmmaker of his calibre, what is it that keeps him in the groove? ���Interaction and observation. That is important for a filmmaker. You look around, you absorb things and you reproduce in your own way,��� says Madhur, who is more often than not compared with American filmmaker and actor Quentin Tarantino. And, he loves it, too. ���I take it as a compliment when people say that,��� smiles Madhur.
For someone like him, whose films have not only received rave reviews but also enough awards and laurels, hasn���t winning awards become too predictable?
���Who doesn���t like to be praised? Awards are encouraging ��� be it domestic, national or international ��� any kind. But, I don���t let myself get used to it. I feel I am an experimental filmmaker and now I am looking forward to this recent release,��� says he modestly.
Why is it that many of his movies have female protagonists ��� strong, staunch characters? He answers readily. ���I am fascinated by them. I have been a mamma���s boy, and now my life revolves around three women ��� my wife, my daughter and my mother,��� he says.
Even before his latest film can be released, he has already decided to make a film on jails. And, it is to be seen how much more criticism he has to face.