`I’ve always tried to work within parameters of realism`

Madhur Bhandarkar opens up about nudity in ‘Jail’, tiff with director Ashutosh Gowariker and his idea of filmmaking.

Madhur Bhandarkar`s much awaited ‘Jail’ is all set to lock horns at the Box-Office with Ashutosh Gowariker`s ‘What`s Your Raashee?’ in September. Speaking to Swati Chaturvedi of Spicezee.com on her show `Kahiye Janab`, one of the most critically acclaimed filmmakers, Madhur Bhandarkar, spoke about nudity in ‘Jail’, tiff with director Ashutosh Gowariker and discussed his idea of filmmaking.Excerpts:

Swati: So you are all set to bring full male frontal nudity to cinema now. Madhur: Yes, there is a nude scene in ‘Jail’ but it’s not obscene, it has been done in style. It’s when Neil enters in Jail that he has to take a regular police check-up. So, it has been shot like a process by the check-up authorities. Swati: You mean it’s realistic nudity? Madhur: See, I’ve always tried to be in the parameters of realism. But you can call it that if you want to. Swati: Whatever you make gets caught by the Censor Board. Controversy has become your middle name. Is it for popularity or a kind of PR stunt? Madhur: I don’t think I need a PR stunt. But definitely, my journey from ‘Chandni Bar’ to ‘Jail’ has been like that. People do say that my films come in news for controversial reasons, but I’ve always made films on relevant issues. And only after my movie releases, the controversy starts. It was after I made ‘Chandni Bar’ that the bars got closed, after ‘Satta’, sting operations started happening, ‘Corporate’ raised the Cola war controversy and so on. So, I don’t do it deliberately. I make the film first, and then it leads to such controversies. And I don’t do it for popularity. Swati: You have won three National Awards, but no popular award. And we have heard that you are making a film on awards now, which would take a dig at issues like lobbying. Is that true? Madhur: If I get an award or if my actresses get it, I feel very happy about it. I love it when they thank me on stage. As for making a film on ‘Awards’, someone did ask me earlier if I’m planning something like that. And I did think about it and felt that it’s a nice idea. So, if at all I make a film on ‘Awards’, I would take up lobbying as one of the aspects. For now, I’m concentrating on ‘Jail’. Swati: You have worked with big actors like Akshay Kumar and Shatrughan Sinha, but now none of the Khans is willing to work with you. Why is that so? Madhur: That’s not the case. I have never approached them for any of my films. See, my script demands the actor, which is why for ‘Jail’ I chose Neil rather than any big star. Otherwise, I like Hrithik, I like Shah Rukh, Aamir and would definitely approach them if required. Swati: But male actors never seem to have impressed you, for all your films mainly have female actors in the lead role? Madhur: Not really, I mean Atul Kulkarni had a great role to play in ‘Chandni Bar’. Also, Kay Kay Menon portrayed an important character in ‘Corporate’, which was nice. So, it’s not like that at all, again depends on the script. Swati: Most of your movies have gay portrayal, like caricatures which you think would sell. Why do you have to do that? Madhur: Gays form an integral part of our society, and we should respect them. And now, I’m very happy about Article 377, I respect the decision. But, I won’t say that gays are just caricatures in my films, for instance, Naveen Soni wasn’t one in ‘Fashion’. ‘Jail’ also has a section of homosexuals, which I have again mentioned to show that we shouldn’t shun them. Swati: Your films don’t really sell in the interiors. What is the reason for it? Madhur: Of course, I can’t expect ‘Corporate’ to work in villages. We can’t really expect the film to be a success everywhere. I’m happy about where my cinema reaches. The budget, in which I usually make my films, has always let every producer, but me, earn from the movie. Swati: Do you think you need to be belonging to a specific camp for selling your films? Madhur: I belong to an orphan camp. I’ve always struggled in my life. I used to sell cassettes in a video library at one point of time. So, I’ve never realised that I should belong to a camp. I’m at a distance from it, though I feel that the film industry is a lovely place to be associated with. But, it’s a superficial line and I’m a very practical person who loves to appreciate people. I have always been an independent filmmaker and would love to continue working like that. Swati: So, did you ever think you would reach this far? Madhur: I was a very middle class guy, and not very educated. I began with ‘Trishakti’, which was a commercial pot-boiler, but a real disaster. But I’m happy it didn’t do well, because its failure brought me to this kind of cinema. But I had never thought that I would come this far. Swati: You and Ashutosh are good friends, what do you have to say about his statement about Priyanka Chopra during IIFA? Madhur: I know Ashutosh since long. I was there at the event and was shocked by his statement. I really respect him, and we love each other’s work. He is otherwise a low profile guy, so I was all the more shocked because Priyanka is already working with him in ‘What’s Your Rashee?’. And it hurt me especially because the statement came from a friend. All of us worked really hard for ‘Fashion’, especially Kangana and Priyanka. Swati: Did you speak to Ashutosh after the episode? Madhur: No. I didn’t as I thought we will get over it with time. Swati: I know this is really tough, but which out of ‘Fashion’ and ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ is your favourite? Madhur: This is very difficult to answer. I totally respect the jury for their decisions. I think if the jury has decided something, we should honour it. Swati: Which actor do you really dream to work with? Madhur: See, I’m not a proposal filmmaker. I don’t have a specific dream to work with anyone. Swati: Your three favourite actors are… Madhur: Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Hassan, Aamir Khan Swati: And your three favourite actresses… Madhur: Nutan, Madhubala, Tabu Swati: Finally, your three favourite directors… Madhur: Guru Dutt, Mani Ratnam, Rajkumar Hirani Adaptation: Bhavna Khullar