Madhur Bhandarkar More Pics
Film maker Madhur Bhandarkar speaks to TOI on taking a different cinematic route, his brand of cinema and industry economics.
Your last film, " Jail" didn't quite work at the BO. Were you disappointed?
Well, it's part of life. I was considered a flop director before " Chandini Bar". But then things changed, so now, it doesn't bother me so much. The fact is I made "Jail" with all sincerity. The critics loved it and a section of the audience appreciated it. Though the film managed to break even, it wasn't considered a hit. Hits and flops are part of life and who better than me to know that.
Your next film to hit the marquee is a comedy. Why the change in genre?
You know, I hadn't planned it. But one thing's for sure Madhur Bhandarkar and realism will always go hand-in-hand. I've made a lot of realistic cinema and this time around I wanted a change in premise. " Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji" is a comedy, true, but its slice of life, feel-good cinema. I always thought I had a flair for comedy ,and I wanted to explore. So, when the time came, "DTBHJ" was born. But even though I'm doing comedy, I haven't left my brand of cinema ---- which is realism.
Since you are known for making realistic cinema, did you have moments of apprehension before starting this project?
More than me the media and a few people were apprehensive. I got so many texts asking why I was attempting something like this. As a creative person there are times when you need to move from the typical space and try something else. Agar main sirf realistic cinema banata, then people would have said why doesn't he try something else? Film making is a process. There are times when you have to get yourself into unknown territory and test the waters. That's what I'm doing.
Tell us about your choice of actors?
It took me less than three days to finalize the subject. Ajay Devgn has great comic timing and I wanted him on board. I met him and within 20 minutes of narrating the subject , he agreed. As far as Emraan is concerned, I've seen only a few of his films. I knew he was perfect for the part. When he came into my office he asked me, "Sir, kisska band bajaana hai?" He thought I was making a hardcore realistic film. When I told him the subject, he was slightly taken aback. But within minutes of narration he was on board too. In fact, his character is like the surprise package in the movie because Emraan hasn't attempted comedy yet. As far as Omi is concerned, we have seen what a great job he's done in "3 Idiots", plus he suits the role perfectly.
What about your leading ladies?
All my leading ladies in the film - Shruti Haasan, Shazahn Padamsee and Shraddha Das - have had flops to their names. Lot of people asked why I was working with them. But the thing is I already had the heroes in place who are popular, so I needed fresh faces opposite them--- - someone who wasn't established. Plus, all the girls wanted to work with me. I got their dates easily and the film got done in 60 days!
Has production been tough for you?
I'm a director who makes films on moderate budget. Although some didn't work at the BO, they managed to break even. So with my film, I have kept my budget under control. Look at movies that flopped last year. They were made on lavish budgets and when they flopped, the industry was in crisis, and is still trying to recover. Problem is, actors charge too much , and the next chunk is taken by the director. Jo baaki hai, usse toh film nahi ban sakti na. Hence, more money is pumped it. But when a big actor and director can't guarantee a hit, then why charge so much? Plus over-trading a film is also a bad idea. I think with the current situation, profit sharing is the best way to go.
Your last film, " Jail" didn't quite work at the BO. Were you disappointed?
Well, it's part of life. I was considered a flop director before " Chandini Bar". But then things changed, so now, it doesn't bother me so much. The fact is I made "Jail" with all sincerity. The critics loved it and a section of the audience appreciated it. Though the film managed to break even, it wasn't considered a hit. Hits and flops are part of life and who better than me to know that.
Your next film to hit the marquee is a comedy. Why the change in genre?
You know, I hadn't planned it. But one thing's for sure Madhur Bhandarkar and realism will always go hand-in-hand. I've made a lot of realistic cinema and this time around I wanted a change in premise. " Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji" is a comedy, true, but its slice of life, feel-good cinema. I always thought I had a flair for comedy ,and I wanted to explore. So, when the time came, "DTBHJ" was born. But even though I'm doing comedy, I haven't left my brand of cinema ---- which is realism.
Since you are known for making realistic cinema, did you have moments of apprehension before starting this project?
More than me the media and a few people were apprehensive. I got so many texts asking why I was attempting something like this. As a creative person there are times when you need to move from the typical space and try something else. Agar main sirf realistic cinema banata, then people would have said why doesn't he try something else? Film making is a process. There are times when you have to get yourself into unknown territory and test the waters. That's what I'm doing.
Tell us about your choice of actors?
It took me less than three days to finalize the subject. Ajay Devgn has great comic timing and I wanted him on board. I met him and within 20 minutes of narrating the subject , he agreed. As far as Emraan is concerned, I've seen only a few of his films. I knew he was perfect for the part. When he came into my office he asked me, "Sir, kisska band bajaana hai?" He thought I was making a hardcore realistic film. When I told him the subject, he was slightly taken aback. But within minutes of narration he was on board too. In fact, his character is like the surprise package in the movie because Emraan hasn't attempted comedy yet. As far as Omi is concerned, we have seen what a great job he's done in "3 Idiots", plus he suits the role perfectly.
What about your leading ladies?
All my leading ladies in the film - Shruti Haasan, Shazahn Padamsee and Shraddha Das - have had flops to their names. Lot of people asked why I was working with them. But the thing is I already had the heroes in place who are popular, so I needed fresh faces opposite them--- - someone who wasn't established. Plus, all the girls wanted to work with me. I got their dates easily and the film got done in 60 days!
Has production been tough for you?
I'm a director who makes films on moderate budget. Although some didn't work at the BO, they managed to break even. So with my film, I have kept my budget under control. Look at movies that flopped last year. They were made on lavish budgets and when they flopped, the industry was in crisis, and is still trying to recover. Problem is, actors charge too much , and the next chunk is taken by the director. Jo baaki hai, usse toh film nahi ban sakti na. Hence, more money is pumped it. But when a big actor and director can't guarantee a hit, then why charge so much? Plus over-trading a film is also a bad idea. I think with the current situation, profit sharing is the best way to go.
