Mahesh Bhatt hurled abuses at me when I was sleeping during Chandni Bar release, asked me to make the most of it: Madhur Bhandarkar | Bollywood News

Madhur Bhandarkar is best known as a National Award-winning filmmaker who makes gritty women-led films like Chandni Bar (2001), Page 3 (2005), Corporate (2006), Fashion (2008), and Heroine (2012). He has delivered critically acclaimed movies throughout his career, some of which also turned out to be blockbusters at the box office.
His 2001 film Chandni Bar, starring Tabu in the role of a Mumbai sex worker, was one such fine blend of critical and commercial success. But Madhur was busy sleeping at home when the film released, instead of visiting theatres, watching the crowd’s reactions, and making the most of his career’s first hit.
“I remember I was sleeping on a carpet on the floor of my 1BHK under a fan, I didn’t even have an AC then. Around 2 pm, Mahesh Bhatt saab called me. I’d met him 2-3 times before that. He asked me, ‘Madhur, where are you?’ I was sleepy so I said I’m at home. He hurled abuses at me and said, ‘You’re a mad, foolish guy. Your film is a blockbuster, it’s such a big hit and you’re sleeping. Go and watch the rush outside theatres. You won’t get milestones like these too often.’ So I got so charged up. I said sorry to him, and ran like the fire brigade had sounded an alarm,” said Madhur on Game Changers podcast.
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He went to Gaiety Galaxy and Star City theatre in Mumbai, which were running houseful. He admitted nobody knew his face then, but the audience seemed happy. Then he called and thanked Mahesh Bhatt for giving him a wake-up call. “I needed that pep talk. He said it so right: People crave for such a big hit. You don’t see one every day,” added Madhur. He also recalled how he slept after assuming the film is a hit.
“After Friday, I’d gone to a theatre in Kandivali and stood outside. Nobody knew me at that time. I saw people were glued to the screen. But I couldn’t gauge the reaction. Are they finding it bad? They were very serious. When they got out, I was asking them how the film is. Some said it’s nice, but some didn’t speak at all. So I got worried again,” said Madhur.
Subsequently, he began receiving positive reactions from around the city and the country. “Tabu had called first. She said, ‘Sir, dekho jalwa ho gaya aapka (See, you’ve done something great). The film has taken a huge opening.’ Lot of dributors also called me,” added Madhur. He began gaining confidence after the media also called and congratulated him. So he slept at ease, before Mahesh Bhatt called and gave him a reality check.Story continues below this ad
Madhur Bhandarkar’s last directorial was the sports comedy Babli Bouncer, starring Tamannaah Bhatia, which released on Disney+ Hotstar in 2022.