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I don't judge a film by its budget: Madhur Bhandarkar

I don't judge a film by its budget: Madhur Bhandarkar

Time of India19-07-2025
Madhur Bhandarkar, known for his realistic films, reflects on the film industry's evolution, emphasizing the importance of compelling narratives over budget. He appreciates documentaries and classics, judging films by their execution. Bhandarkar critiques the current trend of multiple music composers diluting emotional connection, advocating for memorable film scores that resonate with audiences, unlike today's fleeting musical experiences.
Madhur Bhandarkar
who is known for his real-world narratives like Page 3, Fashion, Chandni Bar, in a conversation with Mumbai Mirror, talks about the changing face of the
film industry
. 'I look for real stories, that's what draws me in.
Not all OTT releases are good, just like not all films are good,' he says.
The filmmaker said that he likes to watch documentaries and real-life stories. 'I also like going back to older classics by Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalani, Manmohan Desai, and Satyajit Ray. I watch different genres. For me, a film's budget or scale doesn't matter. What matters is how it's made. That's how I judge a film and that is what attracts me to watch it,' he shares.
The filmmaker has strong views on how music in films has changed over time. 'I always gave a lot of importance to music in my films, because I'm a music lover'. Criticising the current practice of roping in multiple composers for one movie, he says, 'Too many music directors in one album isn't good. I feel it just clutters the project with tracks that fail to build a strong emotional connection with the audience. Also, today the audience's attention span has dropped to 30 seconds — like a reel.
Back then, music gave you nostalgia, and emotion. Today, it's just another element in the mix. That's why I ensure my films always have music that people can remember.'
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