IN CONVERSATION WITH MADHUR BHANDARKAR
FICCI LADIES ORGANISATION (FLO) had a meaningful session with Madhur Bhandarkar on “Women How Real is the Reel: Women in Bollywood”. The session was moderated by Amit Goel, co-owner and the Group Vice Chairman of The Pioneer newspaper.
“Madhur Bhandarkar is among the few filmmakers whose films have female protagonists. Madhur has taken the road less travelled and have explored subjects from the women’s perspective. Be it Konkona Sen Sharma as the feisty journalist in PAGE 3 , or Kareena Kapoor Khan as the glamorous actor in HEROINE…Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut as the runway supermodels in FASHION, Bipasha BAsu as the ambitious Corporate woman in CORPORATE, TABU as the distressed bar dancer in CHANDNI BAR to the rebellious INDU SARKAR — these are the some of the female protagonists of Bollywood associated with gritty realism and still remain etched in our memories”, said Harjinder Kaur Talwar, National President, FLO.
“Madhur is also an apt example for FLO members, as a passionate dreamer who scripted his own destiny and reached the zenith of accomplishment in the entertainment industry. From a boy working at a video store in Khar, he taught himself the art and craft of movie making and became a National Award-winning director. His inspiring life journey motivated all the FLO members present and they were all charged up”, Harjinder added further.
“My movies hold up a mirror to society. My movies are not judgmental; I just show what happens in our society, sometimes there could be a solution and sometimes there may be none. Life goes on”, said Madhur Bhandarkar. “I strongly believe that going beyond the stereotypes will do a great help to the cause of women in Indian society. More progressive representations of women would do justice to women and their role in the society”, he added.
While he is known for his women-oriented films, he is also credited for making realistic films like Traffic Signal, Aan: Men at Work and Dil to Bacha Hai ji. “
