The concept is ready, says Madhur about a sequel to Fashion

As Madhur Bhandarkar’s landmark film completes a decade, Arbaaz Khan, Suchitra Pillai, Samir Soni and Harsh Chhaya talk to us about their toughest scenes in it

Madhur Bhandarkar’s successful film, Fashion, which exposed the darker side of the fashion industry, and hit the screens in 2008, completes a decade of its release today. The filmmaker says he has the subject for a sequel ready with him.

“I have the concept of Fashion 2 ready with me. There are quite a few stories that I have in mind, all inspired from the real world. I always make films based on real life stories that are relevant to the society. So, this time too, I won’t be shifting focus. But it’s at a very nascent stage and we will start developing the story and script sometime soon,” he says, adding that right now he is working on another script, the first draft of which is ready. Once this film is done, he plans to start working on Fashion 2.

Madhur has had several successful films but he never tried his hand at making sequels. So, making the second instalment of Fashion would be a first for him. “Making sequels never interested me. I want my films to end on a positive and triumphant note. Many a time I have been asked why didn’t I make sequels to Chandni Bar (2001), Page 3 (2005) or Corporate (2006), and I had told them that I never felt the need to. As far as Fashion is concerned, I had been thinking about the other stories related to the world. The film was initially three hours and 10 minutes long and I had to chop it down to two hours and 35 minutes. So, there are several stories from the world that still need to be told,” he adds.

The film-maker is content with the fact that Fashion is still being watched and can’t stop praising the female leads of the film, Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut and Mugdha Godse. “All my actors contributed to the film and did more than what was expected of them. Priyanka, Kangana and Mugdha, at times, would deliver so well in front of the camera that it would amaze everyone. Now that the film turns 10, I am recalling all the memories. While we were shooting the film, it was really difficult for me to direct the fashion shows. At times, it was emotional to shoot certain scenes, like the one where Priyanka walks the ramp even after being informed that her friend, Kangana, is no more, or the scene where Kangana is walking the ramp in confidence even after being hit black and blue by her boyfriend,” he signs off.

Priyanka, Kangana and Mugdha would deliver so well that it would amaze everyone.

MADHUR BHANDARKAR

FILMMAKER

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion (2008) highlighted a side of the glamour world that probably many weren’t aware of. The hard-hitting Bollywood drama, probably one of the first films on the subject, that was loved by the audience and the critics alike, broke records at the box office and was also appreciated for the performances by all the actors.

The film’s leading ladies, Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut, both received National Awards for their performances, with Priyanka winning for Best Actress award and Kangana for the Best Supporting Actress. Actor Mugdha Godse also received appreciation for the portrayal of an aspiring model, Janet Sequeira.

Today (October 29), as Fashion clocks 10 years, actors Arbaaz Khan, Samir Soni, Suchitra Pillai and Harsh Chhaya, who played pivotal characters in the film, share their memories of shooting for it and reveal what they felt were their toughest scenes at the time.

PHOTO: VIRAL BHAYANI