Fashion makes Madhur Bhandarkar thrilled

With the success of his latest movie Fashion, Madhur Bhandarkar paid a thanksgiving visit to Vaishnodevi shrine in Kashmir.

“I am here to thank the Goddess after the success of Fashion. It is the biggest hit of my career. It is a great moment for me,” said Bhandarkar.

Bhandarkar’s latest offing was a follow up of his trademark movies based on real issues and people. His earlier films like Page 3, Corporate, Traffic Signal, Satta etc were also based on realisitic issues. Fashion stars Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut and Mugdha Godse.

The director said he was slightly apprehensive as the subject of the film was totally different and the film did not have any lead actor in it. “It was a great risk for me to make a film on the background of fashion but I am happy that the public has accepted my film,” Bhandarkar said.

The film’s theme is based on the story of a small town girl’s experience in the dazzling world of fashion through the story of Meghna Mathur, a role played with élan by Priyanka Chopra.

The movie ran into controversy after Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) objected that Kangana Ranaut’s character in the film had a striking resemblance to Delhi’s former model Geetanjai Nagpal.

The movie has been passed with an ‘A’ certificate.

Mugdha Godse was mind blowing

Priyanka Chopra has given a huge compliment to co-star Mugdha Godse calling her performance in their movie, Fashion as “mind blowing”.

Mugdha is in seventh heaven after receiving the complement.

“Will you mind if I add ’s’ to the word compliment? I cannot single out any one as I have received many of them. Madhurji told me that I look as if I am four to five films old and my friends told me that though I was supposed to give 100 per cent, I have given my 500 per cent. But, I was on cloud nine when Priyanka SMSed me saying that I was mind-blowing in the movie. At a time, when cat fights prevail in the industry, it really feels nice to get such a compliment from your co-star.” quipped Mugdha.

Mugdha can afford to be choosy while signing new films, post Fashion.

“Yes, I have got a few offers, but I haven’t signed any film. After acting in Madhur Bhandarkar’s film, I cannot afford to choose something less than the best. I am my own competition now,” reveals she. Does it mean that she will be choosy about roles? “I don’t want to sound arrogant, but yes, you can say that,” she says with a smile.

She also revealed that she had one other passion, Writing. “I read a lot of books and they have always inspired me to write. I maintain a personal diary and pen down my thoughts,” she says.

Meghna Mathur saves Priyanka Chopra

After facing a number of critics for the series disasters- Love Story 2050 , Chamku, God Tussi Great Ho and Drona , Priyanka Chopra has come up with an answer in the form of Fashion. The film is running to packed houses and many have hailed it as Priyanka’s best performance till date. She plays the character of Meghna Mathur in Fashion. In Fashion, Priyanka Chopra goes through five subtle but distinct phases, tracing her journey from Chandigarh to a top model in Mumbai.

Said a thrilled Priyanka, “My film Fashion has released and I am very excited about it. People have responded to it very well. I am overwhelmed with the reactions from Fashion . More shows are being added and it is running full house. I could not have asked for more.”

Priyanka has shown an array of emotions in Fashion through different scenes. So which was Priyanka’s favourite scene in the film? “It is a very difficult pick. There were many favourite scenes. One of the most difficult scenes for me was the first time Meghna Mathur (Priyanka’s character in Fashion) takes drugs at the night club and whatever happens thereafter. Honestly, I have had a huge stand against drugs. I always say no to drugs. I don’t know people who take drugs also. So I did not know what happens when one takes drugs and how one behaves after taking it. I had to go just by hearsay. Madhur informed me about the reactions of taking drugs and made me speak to a couple of people he knows. That entire sequence was very difficult for me.”

With such an astonishing performance, compliments are naturally pouring in for Priyanka. So which is the best compliment that Priyanka has received till now? “I am very grateful that people have liked the film and my performance. The best compliment that I got was through an SMS which said, ‘In this decade after Rani Mukherjee in Black , your’s was the best performance.’ I thought that was a bit exaggerated but I took it as a compliment.”

Dostana is her next big release coming soon. Abhishek Bachchan an John Abraham being her co-stars.

Fashion faces another controversy

Madhur Bhandarkar is known for making realistic cinema and many of his characters seem to be inspired by real life characters.

Even his latest film Fashion, which is all set to release next week, has Kangna Ranaut playing Shonali Gujral, a supermodel whose choices in life bring about her ultimate downfall. It may be recalled that ever since the film was launched, there have been stories about Kangna's character being inspired by Delhi based model Geetanjali Nagpal who also had a similar fate.

Despite it being quite obvious that there are certain similarities between Kangna's character and Geetanjali Nagpal, director Madhur Bhandarkar keeps denying the same. However one look at this picture and you can say that Madhur indeed seems to be inspired yet again by a real life character.

It is also reported that Mumbai Police has ordered Mr. Bhandarkar to show the movie to Police officials before the release.

Komal Chautala aka Chitrashi Rawat plays model co-ordinator in Fashion

It was her rough language which did as much talking as her hockey stick in Chak De India. However, with Madhur Bhandarkar, she is singing a different tone altogether as she gets into the world of glitz and glamour while being a part of Fashion. We are talking about Chitrashi Rawat, popularly known as 'Komal Chautala' of Chak De India, who would next be seen in Fashion.

In the film, she is playing the role of a model coordinator and turns out to be an integral part of the plot. Interestingly, her presence in the film has been a closely guarded secret and was kept under the wraps for almost a year since the film came on floors.

"How did this come to your notice; there was not much being spoken about this part. Let this be a surprise element", exclaims Madhur Bhandarkar, director of Fashion, who was caught by surprise when queried about Chitrashi's presence in the film.

"Chitrashi plays a model coordinator in the film. She approached me when work on Fashion had begun and expressed that she wanted to work with me. I did tell her that the part where she would have fitted in was important but not too lengthy. However, she agreed since she wanted to be a part of Fashion."

Talking about the length of her role in the film, Madhur remarks that she would be seen in four scenes. However, each of them is integral to the film's plot. "She had made a terrific impression in just these four scenes. Yet again, she is a firebrand in Fashion and doesn't mince any word. I have liked the way she has approached her character and made it look so convincing and real", says Madhur.

Starring Priyanka Chopra, Kangna Ranaut and Mugdha Godse in the lead, Fashion is all set to hit the screens on 29th October.

Fashion to be unveiled across 750 screens worldwide

UTV Motion Pictures' FASHION is anticipated to release with over 630 screens in India and another 120 screens in 16 countries across the globe. On October 24, the film will be screened at the South Asian International Film Festival in New York. This will be followed by an exclusive promotion held by The Citibank NRI division inviting their distinguished clients for select FASHION screenings on October 29 across six US cities -- New York, New Jersey, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco and Chicago.

Dubai is hosting the FASHION Red Carpet Premiere on 29th October, in association with Star TV Middle East. Australia and New Zealand will be host to 'Fashion Nights' contest across 5 cities - Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Auckland, wherein the winners, crowned as Ms. 'Fashion Australia', will be rewarded with certificates attested by director Madhur Bhandarkar and Priyanka Chopra. FASHION will be released in the US and the Middle East on 30th October, with the other international markets following on 31st October.

Back in India, the three leading ladies from the movie - Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut and Mugdha Godse - are all set to walk the ramp on October 20 for the Sunsilk Fashion Week in Mumbai. FASHION theme parties coined as 'Fashion Nights' will be held in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune and Bangalore along with partner brands.