I am not a commercial filmmaker: Madhur Bhandarkar

Mumbai, July 18 (IANS) Madhur Bhandarkar's recently released "Corporate" has received a mixed response at the box office with some critics expressing the view that it has an overdose of detailing and jargon from the business world. But the director is unperturbed.

"I didn't want my business world to look filmy. If I did, I'd call it 'Dhande Ke Saudagar' or something. I was willing to take the audience into confidence. I also knew with a title like 'Corporate' I was making a film that had a niche audience and was completely metro-centric, for the multiplexes," Bhandarkar told IANS.

"I am not a commercial filmmaker. I'm an experimental filmmaker whose films make a profit without being formulistic," added Bhandarkar, who is taking the scrutiny as a compliment.

"I don't know why my films are always so closely scrutinised for real-life references. May be that is a compliment for how real my films are."

Excerpts:

"Corporate" has too much detailing and jargon from the business world. The average viewer is nonplussed.

When I decided to make a film on the workings of the business world I had to make it as authentic as the world of politics in "Satta", the socialites' parties in "Page 3" and the beer bars in "Chandni Bar". I can't fake it. I didn't want my business world to look filmy. If I did, I'd call it "Dhande Ke Saudagar" or something.

If I make a film on the film trade, I have to use trade language or else I'll end up making a filmy film on the film world. I was willing to take the audience into confidence. I also knew with a title like "Corporate" I was making a film that had a niche audience and was completely metro-centric, for the multiplexes.

I was aware "Corporate" wouldn't have the immediate emotional resonance of "Chandni Bar" or "Page 3". But I am also aware that once the audience gets hooked to the drama, they'll love every moment of "Corporate". Audiences are already connected to the theme... which is everyone gets used in one way or another.

Some critics have compared "Corporate" with "Page 3".

Thank god they are comparing it with my film and not someone else's. I can't see any similarity between the two. You should ask them about it. My films can never be accused of copying each other or anyone else. Why do people forget that "Corporate" is an experimental film of Rs.40 million'

I am not a commercial filmmaker. I am an experimental filmmaker whose films make a profit without being formulistic.

There are too many characters. Actors like Sammir Dattani and Minissha Lamba barely register.

I was aware of this. And, in fact, Dattani and Lamba were billed guest appearances when I realised that their role wasn't large enough.

Essentially, "Corporate" is about the war between two giants played by Rajat Kapoor and Raj Babbar. And Atul Kulkarni's voiceover tells us that at the start. I just wanted audiences to recognise the other characters as belonging to the two warring groups.

You have used references from the cola-pesticide controversy and also used real-life personalities like Javed Akhtar and Prahlad Kakkar to give authenticity to your drama.

Yes, I have. But let me clarify - real-life references are not snatched from the headlines. I didn't borrow anything from a real-life cola war. Our screenplay isn't judgmental.

And the pesticide controversy wasn't peculiar to soft drinks. It cropped up in so many other things. I don't know why my films are always so closely scrutinised for real-life references. Maybe that's a compliment for how real my films are.

What was the point of an item song in your real-life film and of showing the item girl being sent for sex to the politician'

Please try to understand. Bollywood is brought in not for an item song but because we needed to show the politician's interest in Bollywood. Why only my film' So many films have shown this nexus. As for an item song, what's wrong with one if it's not out of place' I had one in "Page 3" also.

Bipasha Basu's character starts as being a woman in charge but ends up being exploited and abused. Isn't that contradictory'

Yes, she becomes a victim eventually just like everyone else in the film. She has the option and she decides to be the fall girl for love. Her love for Kay Kay Menon supersedes all her other considerations.

Why can't women in power be emotional' Man or woman, people have been known to make unbelievable sacrifices for love. So far, the audiences' response has been very encouraging. And my films have always grown by word of mouth.

Click the Movie button below for more info:
Corporate