Kathmandu:

The line between mainstream cinema and parallel cinema has blurred in Bollywood. With the so-called off beat movies doing well at the box office, it has been proved that the regular Bollywood formula is not the only one that can produce a hit. The credit to this trend goes to directors who have dared to work on projects that are more realistic — in both subject and approach.

Madhur Bhandarkar is one of the most prominent directors in this league. His movies like Chandani Bar, Page 3 and Corporate have not only been critically acclaimed but have also done better business than many ‘commercial’ movies. His treatment of the subject and characters are so lifelike that both masses and classes can relate to his movies.

From dance bars, hi-society life, corporate world, he has turned his director’s eye to the world of fashion. In town for the recently held Khadi Show, Madhur Bhandarkar gives us his take on movies, fashion et al.

What makes your movies click with both the masses and the classes?

The best thing about my movies is the fact that I present the perspectives of a common man. My characters are normal people whom you see everyday on the streets. But the treatment of my movies appeals to the classes. So in a way it brings together the masses and the classes.

How are you able to make such realistic movies?

I don’t carry this attitude that ‘Oh god I am such a big filmmaker’. I consider myself a common man. My films reflect the common man. So for that also I need to keep myself grounded to be able to relate to their stories. I interact with people and I often travel by autos to get the story of a common human being.

You presented a glamorous actress like Bipasha Basu in a deglamourised character. How much of a risk was it?

A lot of people told me not to cast her as this businesswoman as she had this glamorous image. But I followed my conviction, and I am glad that I did that. She has done a brilliant job in the movie and broke the mould of her previous image. She won so many accolades and awards as well for the role. People told me that she was phenomenal in the movie.

Which other actress do you think can do well without the glamorous image?

Priyanka Chopra is another actress with the calibre that has not been explored yet. I really want to work with her.

Who do you think is the most underrated actor in Bollywood?

Akshay Khanna is an actor whose talent has not been exploited to the fullest. He is an immensely talented actor.

Today neither big banners nor big stars can guarantee that a movie will

be a hit. What do you think works today at the box office?

Right now it is the content that makes a movie successful. Nothing else — no big banners, no big stars guarantee that the movie will be a hit. We are not the ones who decide what works. It is the audience who decide what they want and that works.

Even big banners are producing parallel movies these days. What do you have to say about that?

A lot of big banners are doing parallel movies and there is nothing wrong with this. As moviemakers we have to make movies with a difference. So we have to come up with different subjects, thoughts and ideas.

The latest trend in Bollywood seems to be remaking old movies. Which one would you like to remake?

Guide is my favourite movie, but the movie is so perfect that I am afraid I will not be able to do justice to the movie.

As the research for your next venture about the world of fashion is almost over, is it the way you had perceived before?

After researching for my next project on fashion I came to know about many new things related to this field. I found out that it is completely different from the perception I had earlier. I also learned about the behind-the-scene happenings. The cast is almost finalised — most probably it will be announced within a week.

Your impressions about Nepal.

Nepal is a beautiful place. I have been wanting to come here for several years especially after seeing this place in Dev saab’s movies like Hare rama hare Krishna, Jhonny mera naam. I am also a staunch believer of Lord Shiva, so this place holds a special place for me as it is the land of Lord Pahsupatinath. I had a brilliant trip of the temple and had an amazing darshan. I really liked the whole ambience of the temple premises. I am also going to Manakamana temple and for mountain flight too.