How Real is the Reel : Women in Bollywood In Conversation with Madhur Bhandarkar

FLO organized a very interesting and meaningful conversation with Madhur Bhandarkar on the topic “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 moviemaking 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. “ “ Without a background, it is difficult to find a foothold in the industry. I had a very humble beginning… I started with doing odd jobs in film sets.

Then I joined Ram Gopal Verma and learnt a lot. My first film was Trishakti, which may people would know. It had all commercial elements, but it didn’t run. I would say that the success rate in the film industry is 0.1 percent. My journey from this failure to the success of Chandni Bar was difficult,” he said. Talking about why Bollywood celebrities stay away from politics he said “ There is a constant fear of being isolated and their film career might be hampered. They may feel about an issue but refrain from speaking out or taking a stand”.