Madhur Bhandarkar marked his 25th anniversary as a film director on August 6, the same day his debut film *Trishakti* (1999) was released.
In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Bhandarkar reflected on the significant changes in the industry since his debut.
Discussing the current challenges of meeting actors, Bhandarkar noted that it often requires going through managers or agencies, with no guarantee of access. He remarked that this trend has both advantages and disadvantages.
Bhandarkar shared a recent experience with Mithun Chakraborty, who revealed that in the past, he would sometimes only hear a film’s narration over the phone and trust the director without question. Chakraborty mentioned that he had taken similar risks with debut directors and varying projects, reflecting on how this approach contributed to his success.
He then contrasted these past practices with today’s actors, who now prefer to read scripts and do detailed preparation, yet there’s still no certainty of a film’s success. Bhandarkar humorously noted that despite putting more effort into *Trishakti* than *Page 3* (2005), it was *Page 3* that became a cult hit, highlighting the unpredictability of what resonates with audiences.
On the issue of actors’ entourages and their impact on film budgets, Bhandarkar emphasized his focus on controlling costs. He explained that as a director of mid-sized films, he insists on reasonable fees from actors to avoid adding financial strain. He pointed out that if a film doesn’t succeed, it affects the producer’s ability to fund future projects, stressing the importance of both the film’s and actors’ success.
