'The Wives' filmaker Madhur Bhandarkar confesses how the ‘industry is a little apprehensive’ about his work - Exclusive

With movies like ‘Fashion,’ ‘Page 3,’ ‘Heroine,’ filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar has always highlighted the other side of the glam world. He takes his audience down the lane, away from the cameras, where shadows lurk, vulnerabilities are exposed, and reality takes over reel. With his concepts, he tries to weave reality into reel, and that dose isn’t easy to gulp for everyone. In an exclusive conversation with us, Madhur Bhandarkar confessed, “Pressure definitely comes along,” highlighting how his earlier releases have set a benchmark for his upcoming movies. He also shared with us that the industry too carries some apprehension when it comes to Bhandarkar’s work, as they feel he would expose some unsaid, unheard truths.

Madhur Bhandarkar on the industry’s apprehension towards his films

In 2025, Madhur began working on his 16th film, ‘The Wives.’ Sharing about the same, he wrote in a social media post that it is “an original story set in the captivating world of glamour.” He worked on the project for years, wrote one draft after another, and will finally be releasing it in 2026. When asked if bringing original stories that speak about the unsaid truth comes with pressure, the filmmaker shared, “This time, I would say the industry is a little apprehensive about what I'm going to show.”





Explaining it further, he stated, “Because I know I met a lot of people from the film industry through research also, or whenever people meet me, they ask about ‘The Wives’. So, they are a bit apprehensive because they feel that Madhur is going to make an exposing kind of thing. What is he going to show about the Bollywood wives and all? So, there is a moment of silence also.”

Madhur Bhandarkar says he is only answerable to his audience

The industry chatter and apprehension don’t bother the ‘Fashion’ filmmaker. He said, “I feel I am answerable to my audiences. And definitely the perspective, which was shown in ‘Heroine’ or ‘Fashion’ or ‘Page 3’, about the glam world, the same perspective will be shown.”

“It was very difficult. We had so many drafts written, and then to put everything together in a film. It's very difficult. The audience has changed a lot now, you see. But definitely, I think the love people have given me over so many years, the same love they will give me,” he continued.

Circling back to the industry’s reception of the film, he said, he doesn’t really know how it is going to react. “But like, I said, I am here because of the audiences. The audience has given me my success, my glory, my awards; everything that is mine is because of my audience. So, I am here because a lot of people told me, Madhur, only you can make such a film. Nobody would dare to make such a film,” he expressed.

Summarizing ‘The Wives’: Madhur Bhandarkar says it’s ‘Page 3’ on steroids’

During the conversation, he shared that when people ask him to summarize ‘The Wives’ plot, he replies, “It's like ‘Page 3’ on steroids. They get the whole gist then. So, you will see the perspective and say, ‘My God, it is so real.’”

“We heard about it, and he has shown the inside view. Bollywood wives’ trauma, their happy side, and there is an ugly side to it,” concluded the filmmaker, hoping that the audience gives his upcoming movie the same love they have showered on his earlier releases.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”