As an ardent fan of Madhur Bhandarkar, I find his journey and insights into the Bollywood industry truly inspiring. His dedication to telling women-centric stories, despite facing numerous challenges, is commendable. The fact that acclaimed actresses like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Priyanka Chopra, and Tabu were willing to lower their fees to work with him speaks volumes about his impact and the importance of his work.
Madhur Bhandarkar, a well-known director recognized for his powerful movies, particularly those centered around women’s stories, recently disclosed interesting aspects of his career journey. He unveiled that notable actresses such as Kareena Kapoor Khan, Priyanka Chopra, and Tabu opted to reduce their payment for the opportunity to work with him. Additionally, Bhandarkar discussed the challenges he faced when casting male actors in his films centered around women.
At Cine Talkies 2024, Madhur Bhandarkar spoke candidly about the lingering gender and wage inequality in Bollywood during an interview with Indian Express. He recounted instances where Kareena Kapoor, Tabu, and Priyanka Chopra accepted reduced fees to work on his films, highlighting their understanding that he was capable of producing movies within budget constraints when others were reluctant to do so.
In simpler terms, the director highlighted how high actor salaries could cause budget issues, suggesting that men, too, might want to lower their fees for movies focusing on women. This underscores the ongoing difficulties within the film industry.
Madhur also shared his struggles with casting male actors in his films and said, “I have faced a problem casting heroes for my films. They didn’t want to do it because the focus was on women. I have an image that if I make a film, it would revolve around women only. Then we have to cast newcomers.”
I can’t help but look back at the golden days of Bollywood, when legends like Rishi Kapoor didn’t think twice about sharing the limelight with strong female leads in movies like Nagina. But it seems that times have changed. Today, it feels as if actors are more focused on the scale of their roles and are leaning towards solo hero or heroine films, which appears to be a growing trend towards star-centric productions.
Madhur Bhandarkar urged fellow filmmakers to persistently produce films focusing on women’s stories, acknowledging that advancements take patience. He recounted his personal experiences of enduring criticism for his own projects, but standing firm in his convictions. He reminisced about the initial backlash Chandni Bar received from critics, who deemed it excessively melancholic, and Fashion being ridiculed as more fitting for a fashion show rather than cinema.
Despite some negative responses, the director encouraged filmmakers not to lose heart. He highlighted that the movie Laapataa Ladies is now generating worldwide conversation due to its powerful themes. Looking back at Chandni Bar, he pointed out that though it faced stiff competition against blockbusters like Gadar, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, and Lagaan, it still managed to secure nominations at prestigious award ceremonies.
Bhandarkar pointed out the persistent hurdles that women-themed films encounter in Bollywood, mentioning that they frequently receive insufficient backing. He went on to say that when he proposes a project with a female-driven narrative, producers usually propose a budget of around 20-22 crores. (Paraphrased)
If the narrative is centered around a male protagonist, the budget typically rises to between Rs 50 and 60 crores. This underscores the ongoing issue of gender and wage imbalance, suggesting that realizing genuine equality within the industry is still an ongoing effort.
Madhur Bhandarkar likewise pondered over how the movie Chandni Bar, starring Tabu as the lead actress, marked a significant milestone in his career. He admitted that when he first started making films, the industry’s primary focus was on commercially successful movies with wide appeal, and he initially adhered to this trend since it was the chance he had.
In my line of work as a lifestyle expert, I can attest to the fact that Chandni Bar served as a transformative moment in my journey, akin to the first rays of sunlight breaking through the horizon. The triumph of this film revolutionized the way my work was perceived by the industry, opening doors for more projects that delved into richer, more profound storylines.
Apart from discussing other aspects, he talked about the hurdles he encountered during the production of Chandni Bar. It turned out that multiple producers saw its potential but demanded the inclusion of numerous dance numbers to boost its market appeal. Nevertheless, Madhur Bikram was unwilling to sacrifice the film’s narrative authenticity for commercial gain. As he stated, there are only a handful of producers ready to support films centered around women, making it all the more challenging to bring such movies to fruition.
He made it clear that he doesn’t see himself as the only representative of female-focused cinema. He also recognized the significant work done by filmmakers such as Bimal Roy, Kamaal Amrohi, Guru Dutt, Shyam Benegal, and Raj Kapoor, all of whom produced impactful films that spotlighted women.
In the ’80s, Bhandarkar observed that the surge of masala films dominated the scene, overshadowing movies centered around women. Yet, Chandni Bar stood out for him as it was premiered alongside big hits and played a crucial role in challenging traditional perceptions about female-focused films.
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2024-12-16 11:23