'Corporate' is a Middle of the Road' cinema, says Bhandarkar

New Delhi, Nov 1 (UNI) Many were surprised when Madhur Bhandarkar's film 'Corporate', classed as commercial cinema, was announced as the Bollywood entry to the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) beginning in Goa from November 23.

''But films are either good or bad, commercial or non-commercial is matter that does not very much concern a director as an artiste,'' says Bhandarkar when asked about his reaction.

''In fact I would not describe Corporate as either an art or a commercial film, but rather middle of the road cinema that always takes up some issue,'' Bhandarakar told UNI here.

All his movies have a certain focus, as any artistic work is bound to have. Artistes do not work in isolation from society, so any subject they treat is closely related to what is happening around them, said the young director.

'Corporate' is about a business rivalry between two industrial groups, but the common man can identify himself with the work because of two reasons-- the issues that crop up in the rivalry are those that ultimately affect him as a consumer, says Bhandrakar.

''Moreover, there is an emotional appeal of the story. The film depicts the emotional trauma of a woman caught between the rivalry of the two houses,'' he said. The role has been excellently played by Bipasha basu, he added. Other actors in the film are Kay Kay Menon, Payal Rohatgi, Minissha Lamba and Raj Babbar.

Most of Bhandarkar's films have a woman as the main protagonist--Tabu in Chandni Bar, Raveena Tandon in Satta, Konkona Sen Sharma in Page 3 and now Bipasha Basu in Corporate.

He says he has learnt a lot during his journey from Chandni Bar, which revolves around the life of a bar dancer, to 'Corporate'.

''I knew I was facing a lot of challenges in making 'Corporate'.

I had to come up to the people's expectations from me after films like Page three and Chandni Bar. They were now expecting that I would be again taking up some real issue. I am happy that I have lived up to it,'' he said.

Bhandarkar thinks his next film 'Traffic Signal' will also give something fresh to the audience. ''It will be a very different kind of film. It is about the two different kind of worlds that intersect at the traffic signal. One is a world of the beggars, street children and vendors and the other that of those travelling comfortably in their cars.'' The film, nearing completion, would be released in January.

Bhandarkar started his film career as an assistant to Ram Gopal Varma but he made his directorial debut with Trishakti in 1999.

However, it was not a success at the box office.

But, two years later, he was able to carve a niche for himself in the film industry world of cut throat competition with his next work Chandni Bar (2001) starring Tabu and Atul Kulkarni. It was a widely and critically acclaimed film.

After Chandni bar, Bhandarkar directed Satta (2003) and Aan: Men at Work (2004).

His next film Page 3(2005), starring Konkona Sen Sharma, did well at the box office and was praised by critics. And Bhandarkar's success has continued with 'Corporate'.

UNI NAZ SB DS1112