Madhur's new Bandra home

By: Upala KBR, Mid-Day
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Madhur Bhandarkar's bank balance and career is slowly, but steadily, rising. Apart from shifting out from his Khar residence to a plush 2-BHK apartment in Linking Road, Bandra, Madhur has recently signed multi-crore deals with Percept Picture Company and UTV.

"Madhur's market rate today ranges from Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 crore," says a trade analyst.

Three-film contract

Says Bhandarkar, "It is true that I am on the verge of signing a three-film contract, for three years, with Percept. Besides Signal, which Percept is already producing, I will be making three more films with them. I am also in the process of finalising a two-film deal with UTV."

Has he signed the Percept contract for Rs 3 crore? "The money hasn't been finalised yet. I have good relations with Shailendra Singh and Sahara, and we have been talking about the money, but it is still at the negotiations stage."

Is Madhur also investing in a property worth Rs 2.5 crore, in Versova? "No, I have a small flat, a 2-BHK in Bandra, on Linking Road which Renu (his wife) and I shifted into six months ago. Right now, I am in the process of buying a new office.

Renu and I are meeting lots of estate agents. With so many films and deals being signed, I need a bigger office. I already have one in Versova, but will need something bigger as my work is expanding."

Wife designed flat

Who designed his Bandra home and Versova office? "Naturally, my wife Renu, who is an interior designer." The Bhandarkars are expecting their first baby in October. Any expectations of a son or daughter? "Not at all. We just want a healthy baby," says the father-to-be.

Madhur says being dad-to-be isn't as difficult as directing Corporate, his next film, which will release in July. "For me, directing the film was one of the most difficult things I had to do in my life. I am not connected to the corporate world and nobody has made a film on the subject before, so I had to research a lot. It's based on the soft drinks and food sector, with Bipasha as the main protagonist, and her romantic relationship with Kay Kay Menon forming the backdrop."

Madhur - global brand

Shailendra Singh, Managing Director, Percept Picture Company
"Yes we have finalised a deal with Madhur Bhandarkar, where he will make as many films as he can in three years. It's based on the studio model overseas, where directors, writers and technicians align themselves to one studio. PPC is also representing Madhur overseas and is building his brand and career worldwide.

We can safely say that Madhur Bhandarkar will become a global entity in the next year-and-a-half, and be totally ready to create global cinema. It might not necessarily be in English, but cinema that will be universally accepted across the world. We will also be looking into his film deals with other companies, like Mukta Arts and UTV, where we will act in his interests."

Has Madhur signed on for Rs 3 crore? "It is not easy to discuss this as it has many variables. If his film is a hit, we will give him a bonus, but if two films flop successively, he will have to take a cut in his remuneration. It will be according to the slab system. We will be making a formal announcement soon."

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