The first question comes naturally, hoe does it feel to be accepted and considered and applauded as the best director in a country of one billion people and a country known as the world's No. 1 film making country?

I think I would not be a normal human being if I said that I was not happy or regretted winning the award. The truth and the whole truth is that I feel right on top of the world just now. Believe me; I couldn't believe it when the news was first broken to me. It was like the best breaking news stories I had ever heard. I couldn't believe it was happening to me. It took me quite some time to come down to earth and believe that I was indeed the winner of the national award for the best director in India. It is undoubtedly a great feeling to be a winner while facing such a tough competition from some of the most talented film makers in the country. I also realize that it is a very big challenge for me as a director now; I know I cannot dare to make bad, routine or average films now. I will be both inspired and forced by own conscience to make good and meaningful films. This award is both a reward and a great responsibility for me I realize as the reality sinks in.

Did you ever imagine that you would win this prestigious award one day?

Frankly, never. I only believe in doing my very best, gave every film I made the best I could, put my whole lifeinto their making. I have always believed in working with all sincerity and with my conscience in the right place. And I have been honest to myself because as an artiste I feel no artiste can achieve anything without being honest and true to his conscience. This major award is the result of my strong belief. It is not a Cliché but I really thank God, my parents and my wife for being with me in my battle to come up with the best. I believe anyone who can think like this has to succeed. I am not preaching but telling you the truth learned by a man who has never claimed to be enlightened, smart, brilliant or outstanding. Whatever I have learned is what as I have learned from life which is the greatest teacher.

What do you think were the highlights of 'Traffic Signal'?

First of all it was the novelty of the subject itself. Anyone who travels through the streets of Mumbai with their eyes wide open is aware of this bitter reality of life. It is very easy to talk about this subject as a big nuisance. It is also easy to write articles and make documentary films about them. But I decided to do something different. I observed, studied, analyzed and probed into everything possible to know the truth about this strange way of life and the out of this world people. I knew I was tackling a very difficult subject. I also knew I could not go wrong. I could not use my imagination beyond a certain limit because I had to come out with the truth about this grim reality. It was very difficult to make the stories of so many different characters into one film, but as I told you the right intentions worked out in an honest way always work. I realized during the making of the film how easy it was to make films with stars and others who knew the medium and how difficult was to deal with real life character who had never faced the camera in their lives.

What were the other differences you saw while making this film?

The most difficult part was to assemble the real life characters I was to deal with. To tell you the truth again, dealing with them, their moods, their tantrums and their demands was more difficult than dealing with the most temperamental stars. Just to give you one example, one needed from character in the continuity of scenes and I was bewildered when I found most of them missing. I could not go ahead with the making of my film without them. I sent my assistants to every corner of the city to find them and I was lucky to find them but their demands had now increased. It was a real challenge to work with these 'actors' who are better than the best actors we have in the industry.

Do you think that your continuous crusade of exposing the reality of life in one film after the other can help in solving the problems you show so very vividly?

I do my job as a film maker without any compromises. I reflect whatever I see and observe and learn in my films. There is nothing that is exaggerated, nothing that is over done and nothing that is far away from the truth in my film. I don't believe that only films can change life around us. They can inspire us. They can describe real life situations. They can help in finding solutions but they can certainly not act as forces that can change life.

Will you continue to make films like the ones you have been making?

I will as long as I find the subjects that interest me and give a jolt to my conscience. I am responsible citizen of society, of this city and this country. I feel I have a responsibility as a film maker to do my best. I can work with others who are interested in the same interests that I have at heart and I am ever willing to as long as I am accepted and I succeed.

How much have you finished with your next film, 'Fashion'?

It is almost complete. It is the most ambitious film I am making and if I am making a film like fashion I have to go deep into a subject which has again never been tried before. I don't want to reveal anything about the film just now. I will reveal all that and more when the film is released.

And you making a film called 'Jail'?

Yes, that is my next hard hitting subject which will travel beyond the walls and bars of the jails in India. How I will do it is a challenge I had accepted a long time ago but was waiting to find the right genuine script. The only thing I have finalized is Neil Nitin Mukesh to play the main role. All the other details will be worked out only after I finish 'Fashion'.

How do you feel when some critics and cinegoers call you the modern day avatar of Dr. Satyajit Ray?

Na re baba na. I am not even fit to stand next to him. How can anyone even think of being another Ray? Not me, certainly not me.

Will you make other kind of films besides making all these hard hitting films which are branding you?

No, I hope to make other kind of films to do. My next subject is a comedy and then I hope to make films of different genres at the right time.

How do you see the future of Madhur Bhandarkar?

I am nobody to talk about my future. I only know that I am going to work very hard and this award as the best director is only the beginning of a new chapter in my life.

Why have you not tried to make multi starrers when there are stars who are willing to work with you?

I will cross the right bridges at the right time.

What are the kinds of subjects that are working in your mind now?

I wake up with at least three new subjects every morning but it all depends on whether those subjects will ever be made or not. A film maker is after all a victim of circumstances and time. He cannot do anything on his own, he cannot fight his battles all o his own.