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How research and reality shape Madhur Bhandarkar’s cinema

Madhur Bhandarkar said he immerses himself fully in the worlds he portrays by meeting real people involved in his films" Whether it was bar dancers for Chandni Bar, undertrials for Jail, or backstage fashion shows for Fashion, I met real people.

2 min readPuneUpdated: Dec 6, 2025 08:19 AM IST

Madhur Bhandarkar (Photo: Madhur Bhandarkar/Instagram)

Written by Anaya Shetty

At the Symbiosis Film Festival, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar shared insights into his filmmaking process, emphasising the importance of research and offering advice to young filmmakers. The event’s Inaugural Ceremony featured five-time National Award-winning filmmaker and Jury Chairperson S. Nallamuthu, DR R. Raman, Vice Chancellor of SIU, and other distinguished dignitaries. Dr. Ruchi Jaggi, Dean & Director of Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, delivered the welcome address, while Dr Sreeram Gopalkrishnan, Director of Symbiosis Centre for Media and Communication, gave the vote of thanks.

Madhur Bhandarkar said he immerses himself fully in the worlds he portrays by meeting real people involved in his films” Whether it was bar dancers for Chandni Bar, undertrials for Jail, or backstage fashion shows for Fashion, I met real people. Research is the backbone of every film I make. The characters must feel authentic because they come from real lives,” he said, highlighting authenticity as the foundation of his work.

Discussing his upcoming film The Wives, Bhandarkar explained how it explores the artificial nature of the modern world. The film focuses on how glamorous families are impacted by social media.“The world is the same, but today everything is on steroids—driven by social media, algorithms, likes and comments. I’ve addressed how narratives are shaped in this new ecosystem,” he remarked.

He also encouraged young filmmakers to utilise new platforms like OTT and YouTube for storytelling while remaining true to their conviction .“Today, OTT and YouTube offer opportunities we never had. Your voice can reach the world. But whatever you make, stick to your conviction. Filmmaking is money-driven, but storytelling is belief-driven,” he advised.

He reaffirmed his dedication to portraying marginalised communities, stating, “It is essential to show the struggles of those whose voices go unheard—from migrant workers to sex workers to bar dancers. If a film can make audiences feel, question, or change, that is true cinema.”

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