Madhur Bhandarkar: independent filmmakers don't belong to any coterie
Synopsis
At the Jagran Film Festival, Madhur Bhandarkar drew a sharp line between independent filmmakers and Bollywood's power networks — declaring he belongs to no coterie. With classics like 'Chandni Bar' still finding new audiences on OTT two decades on, his remarks cut to a real divide in how Indian cinema is made and who it serves.
Key Takeaways
Madhur Bhandarkar spoke at the 14th Jagran Film Festival in Mumbai on 21 August .
He stated that independent filmmakers like himself are 'not in a lobby or a gang or a coterie' in the film industry.
Bhandarkar spends two to three years between films to research and develop socially rooted stories.
OTT platforms and YouTube have given films like 'Chandni Bar' , 'Page 3' , and 'Fashion' a new audience among younger viewers.
He said the audience — not box-office numbers — is the true measure of a filmmaker's legacy, with 'Chandni Bar' still resonating 20–25 years after release.
Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar has said that independent directors like himself operate outside the established power circles of Bollywood, asserting that they are not part of any lobby, gang, or coterie in the film industry. He made the remarks while attending the 14th edition of the Jagran Film Festival in Mumbai on 21 August.
Outside the Industry Circles
Bhandarkar was candid about the realities of working as an independent filmmaker in a highly networked industry. 'As independent filmmakers, we are not in a lobby or a gang or a coterie,' he said. He acknowledged the unpredictability of the business, noting, 'No one knows what will work at the box office. And when it will work. And what the audience will like.'
A Career Rooted in Society
Looking back at a filmography that includes 'Chandni Bar', 'Page 3', 'Fashion', and 'Heroine', Bhandarkar spoke about his commitment to socially rooted storytelling. He shared that he typically spends two to three years between projects to research and deeply understand the world he intends to portray — a deliberate pace that sets him apart from mainstream commercial production cycles.
OTT and YouTube: A Second Life for His Films
Bhandarkar credited OTT platforms and YouTube for giving his films renewed relevance, allowing younger audiences to discover titles years after their original theatrical release. This digital afterlife, he suggested, has broadened his audience base significantly and introduced his work to a generation that missed it in cinemas.
Audience as the True Measure
Reflecting on the enduring impact of 'Chandni Bar' — a film that continues to resonate 20 to 25 years after its release — Bhandarkar said the connection with viewers matters more than box-office returns. 'Our wealth is the audience. Because of the audience, we are here. They love us. People remember us,' he said. For him, the lasting bond between a filmmaker and an audience represents the highest form of success in cinema. As his back catalogue continues to find new viewers through streaming, that bond, he believes, is what gives filmmaking its deepest meaning.
Point of View
Distributors, and platforms is often mediated by informal networks. His longevity outside those circles is notable, but it also reflects a shrinking space for such independence as OTT consolidation hands gatekeeping to a new set of platforms. The real question his comments raise is whether the next generation of socially rooted independent filmmakers will have even the limited infrastructure he navigated, or whether streaming algorithms will prove as exclusionary as the old studio lobbies.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Madhur Bhandarkar say at the Jagran Film Festival?
Bhandarkar said that independent filmmakers like himself do not belong to any lobby, gang, or coterie in the film industry. He also spoke about the unpredictability of box-office success and the deeper value of lasting audience connection.
Which films did Madhur Bhandarkar reflect on during his address?
He looked back at 'Chandni Bar', 'Page 3', 'Fashion', and 'Heroine' — films rooted in social realities that he researched extensively before making. He noted that these titles continue to find new audiences through OTT and YouTube.
How has OTT changed the reach of Bhandarkar's films?
OTT platforms and YouTube have given his films a second life, enabling younger viewers to discover titles like 'Chandni Bar' years after their theatrical release. Bhandarkar credited this digital distribution for broadening his audience significantly.
What does Madhur Bhandarkar consider the true measure of filmmaking success?
For Bhandarkar, success lies in the enduring bond between a filmmaker and the audience, not in box-office numbers. He cited 'Chandni Bar' still being remembered 20 to 25 years after its release as a more meaningful achievement than commercial returns.
What is the Jagran Film Festival?
The Jagran Film Festival is one of India's prominent touring film festivals, now in its 14th edition. It provides a platform for filmmakers, critics, and cinephiles to engage with Indian and world cinema across multiple cities.
