I've only heard positive reviews for Indu Sarkar, reveals Madhur Bhandarkar!

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar's newest controversial drama "Indu Sarkar" has registered earnings of over Rs 4 crore at the box office in its opening weekend and has received mixed reviews from critics. But the filmmaker tells his spirit is neither dampened by the collections nor by the feedback. He calls "Indu Sarkar" a "niche project made on a budget of Rs 6.5 crore to Rs 7 crore".

While the viewers and critics have admired lead actress Kirti Kulhari, some critics have called the film "a watered-down, bloodless version" of the Emergency period, a propaganda movie which offers "half-baked" politics.

Questioned about the mixed reviews, Bhandarkar said, "The collection is decent and quite good considering the budget of the film. I am very happy with the response. It was a limited budget and a niche film. We have mainly newcomers in the film. The film was shot in 42 days.The film has already collected more than Rs 4 crore. I am quite happy. We will further collect more amount from satellite and digital rights. We are working out on that."

While appreciating how small budget movies like "Indu Sarkar" and "Lipstick Under My Burkha" are pushing boundaries at the box office, Bhandarkar told, "I am very happy for 'Lipstick Under My Burkha'. It has done very well at the box office. That one also is a small budget film. I am very happy that these kinds of movies are being appreciated by the multiplex audience and the youngsters. The response over social media is superb. I have only heard positive reviews for 'Indu Sarkar'."

The anticipation for "Indu Sarkar" was high given how it was pitched as a movie on the Emergency period from 1975-1977 considered one of the darkest periods of the Indian democracy. Controversies naturally preceded its release on July 28, even as Congress supporters voiced concern over how former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi were portrayed. Even the censor board delayed its release by initially demanding 12 cuts and two disclaimers. But the revising committee finally settled for two cuts and one disclaimer and a few beeps, which Bhandarkar was satisfied with as it didn't tamper with the narrative.

Now that the movie has released in India, Bhandarkar hopes to take it to film festivals. "It was unfortunate that because of the censorship issue, we couldn't release the film overseas. That was a big loss. In US, Britain and Dubai, you are required to give censor copy weeks in advance. We are looking to release the film abroad. Let's see what happens, but I am planning to take the film to a lot of film festivals," further added the National Award winning filmmaker, who has earlier helmed movies like "Page 3", "Traffic Signal" and "Fashion".

He is particularly overjoyed about how Kirti's role is being lauded by everyone. "She is a very talented actress. This was her first film as a main lead actress. I am really happy for her because she deserves it due to the kind of talent she has. I would love to work with her again," he added.

While "Indu Sarkar" released along with Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor-starrer "Mubarakan" at the box office, Bhandarkar told “it's not right to compare the two films. It's a wrong parameter to compare my film with 'Mubarakan'. It's a commercial film. Mine is a niche film."

Madhur Bhandarkar divulges the subject of his next film based on Emergency!

Much-admired filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, who is known for making hard-hitting movies based on social issues, just took to Twitter to inform his fans about his next project and to dispel numerous rumors about his upcoming movies.

Taking to his Twitter page, Madhur posted, ''Just to clarify, right now i am not making any film called "Bollywood wives" or "Air hostess". My next is on d backdrop of Emergency in 1975.” Previously, there had been reports that Madhur and Priyanka Chopra were planning to come together for Madamji, a political movie about a woman's rise to power.

Madhur's last release Calendar Girls had not made much of a splash at the box-office.

No actor approached for 'Main, Indu' Yet, tells Madhur Bhandarkar!

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar has denied that he has zeroed in on any actress for his forthcoming movie Main, Indu. The Fashion director told that he is still penning the script of his next movie.

There was a news that actress Radhika Apte, who is presently winning a lot of praises for her act in Phobia, has bagged the role. Bhandarkar took to Twitter to put the rumors to rest. He posted, ''My next is film still in scripting stage and no actor has been approached yet. Hope this stops speculations around the casting.''

The movie is supposedly set in the Emergency era (June 25, 1975 to March, 21 1977) and revolves around the life of a poetess who rebels against the system.

Madhur Bhandarkar's next 'Main, Indu' is based on the emergency era!

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, who is known for movies with strong female characters, is all set to come up with another female-oriented movie. His next movie, Main, Indu, is set during the 21 months of Emergency, when legal rights were restricted.

Contrary to the news, the movie is not based on former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Sources close to the development told that Indu, in this movie has no reference to Indira Gandhi or any real-life character. The protagonist is a poet who stammers and rebels against the system during these trying times.

The National Award-winning director has been researching on the subject since six months now and has met several political leaders, journalists, prominent authors as part of his prep. 'Main, Indu' rolls this August, the source added.

Madhur Bhandarkar asks for legal action against the makers of ‘Chandni Bar 2 Ruby Bar’!

Actress Rakhi Sawant will be next seen in forthcoming movie Chandni Bar 2 Ruby Bar, which is also being referred to as Chandni Bar 2 and it seems that Madhur Bhandarkar, who had helmed the critically acclaimed Chandni Bar way back in 2001, is not at all amused by the choice of the film's title.

Bhandarkar was quoted telling that he has the title rights to Chandni Bar and that the makers of Rakhi Sawant's forthcoming movie are cashing in on the title to sell their movie, which is not acceptable to him. Bhandarkar added that he is in talks with Amit Mohan, the producer of Chandni Bar and that they are planning legal action in this matter.

Rakhi Sawant lately launched the poster of Chandni Bar 2 Ruby Bar.