Monday Mar 30 9:55 AM
Ritesh Sharma, TWF, Bollywood Trade News Network
Madhur Bhandarkar's last film FASHION was a hit and one won't be surprised if he manages another National Award this year. But Bhandarkar isn't among the ones who would rest on his past laurels. He has already started shooting for his next film JAIL and promises to offer another gripping story.You seem to be happy with the success of FASHION.
Who wouldn't have been? I have always made films keeping in mind the audience and their taste. I have tried to come up with a story which has a human element. It's not only FASHION, my other films have so far worked because of the human element in it. Certainly, I am happy because people have liked it.
Don't you expect another National Award with this film too?
I don't expect anything. Let's see what happens. I have already started my next film JAIL and right now I am focused on that. As far as awards are concerned I am really happy that Priyanka (Chopra) and Kangana (Ranaut) are getting all the awards. As a director that is a great feeling.
Priyanka must be thankful to you for that?
No... (pauses) it's not that but certainly she expressed her excitement after every award ceremony. In fact she told me that she was happy that she did this film. (Laughs) Initially she was a bit apprehensive about the role because it had a grey shade too but finally she was bold enough to accept it... and now she is being rewarded for that. I am really happy for her.
Most of the people who have worked with you say that they enjoy a comfort level acting in your films.
That's because I don't think you have to be extremely talented to be in one profession. There is nothing called good or bad actor. All actors are 'director's actors'. It's up to the director to explore their skills and abilities.
Most of your films have female protagonists.
I do like that of course but no two films of mine are similar be it CHANDNI BAR, PAGE 3, SATTA, CORPORATE or FASHION. I like subjects where women have a strong role but not all my films are women centric. TRAFFIC SIGNAL wasn't and in my next film JAIL it's a male protagonist.
What's JAIL all about and why did you choose Neil Nitin Mukesh to play the protagonist?
I can say that JAIL is going to be something that the Hindi filmgoers haven't witnessed before. Though, Hindi films have over the years shown prisons but it's a different world altogether. One won't know unless he has been there. JAIL is the story of an undertrial's life, played by Neil. Here the undertrail is a common man and the story is an insight about how he feels...what's going in his mind and what is going in the minds of his family members and his girlfriend.
You have been doing a lot of research...visiting prisons with Neil Nitin Mukesh for that.
And we are also looking for a prison to shoot. Luckily I have managed to get one and I am shooting there. We visited the Thane prison and few other prisons and finally managed to get one in Dehradun, which is now a vacant place after the prisoners and convicts have been shifted to a new prison. I think every film needs to be well researched. Neil has given his best. I decided on him because he has the combination of that innocence and anger in his face. This film is about hope. Neil plays a young corporate executive who has been convicted of crime and it's his life inside the prison. It's a poignant story.
And is it inspired from a real life incident?
I know what you mean (laughs). No it's not based on Sanjay Dutt's life. It is completely a fiction and has got nothing to do with Sanjay Dutt's days in prison. Here in this film Manoj Bajpai plays an important role. You must watch out for him too.
