‘FILM INDUSTRY ISN’T DIVIDED’

Socio-political philosophies might differ but Bollywood is a united bunch, feels Mahesh Bhatt

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt (left), who is outspoken about his views on the country’s socio-political issues, says the view that the movie industry in India is divided, is bit too overemphasised. “I think it’s an exaggerated view that film industry is divided. Take Anupam Kher as an example. He is our guy, but his political ideologies are completely different from me. But our bond is as it was and will remain as it is,” say the veteran filmmaker. Bhatt’s next production is Bengali filmmaker Srijit Mukherji’s directorial debut in Bollywood, where actor Vidya Balan essays the role of a madam of a brothel. For the role, Vidya mouths expletives uninhibitedly. And at a time, when the censor board uses its scissors very often to snip out scenes, Bhatt says that he was ready to go to court. “But we were surprised with the path-breaking decision of the board. Our film was passed without any cuts. The film is trying to set a moral compass, and that’s why it is different from others,” he says. Bhatt, who believes that storytellers address societal problems through their work, spoke of controversies that surround his films. “It’s a fact that with controversies, you get a lot of media attention and media space but it is not necessary that it converts into tickets. But, if the situation is of law and order, that can turn into a loss,” he adds.