Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar is a relieved man, after the Supreme Court stayed proceedings in the rape case against him. The charges were slapped by starlet Priti Jain in 2004.
Bhandarkar says the past eight years have been full of “mental harassment and mental agony.” He adds, “It’s a big relief and I am overwhelmed. It was traumatic. In spite of the allegation, I have worked with top actors and people have believed in me. I even won the National Award.”
The 45-year-old also says that fighting the case was an ordeal. “We had all got used to it. It was her (Priti’s) word against mine. When the ordeal is on, you have to go through the process, but I am a fighter. I come from a middle class family. I used to sell video cassettes and I am not even a graduate. You can accuse me or abuse me, but I will not take it lying down. Plus, God is kind to me, I am His blessed child,” he says, adding that he is thankful for his wife’s support. “I was six months into my marriage when this happened. She is a strong person and supported me.”
And what will he tell his daughter Siddhi? He says, “She is too young. Now kids have iPads and all so slowly she will come to know. But she knows her father is a fighter.” Bhandarkar, who is looking forward to his next film, Heroine, trashes reports that he is taking the film to Cannes. “No, that is not true,” he concludes.
Madhur speaks...
{{/usCountry}}Madhur speaks...
{{/usCountry}}On the verdict
It is a big relief after eight years and I’m overwhelmed. It was traumatic for me and my family On support People believed in me. I worked with top actors. My wife is a strong person and she also supported me
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