'Calendar Girls' not an extension of 'Fashion': Bhandarkar

Ace Bollywood director Madhur Bhandarkar says his latest film "Calender Girls" is different from his earlier blockbuster "Fashion".
"'Calender Girls' is neither an extension nor similar to my earlier hit 'Fashion' as problems faced by these girls are different from models, whose brand value stays longer than the calendar girls," he told PTI.
Fashion was the story of a model and her downfall and success.
The director was here to promote the film, which is slated for a September 25 release. Produced by him and Sangeeta Ahir, it features newcomers Akanksha Puri, Avani Modi, Kyra Dutt and Ruhi Singh, among others.

"What intrigued me about 'Calender Girls' is that they are brands for just 365 days. That was interesting and I thought why shouldn't a film be made on them and that's how it all began," Bhandarkar said.
"The story idea came after flipping through Vijay Mallya's calendars of beautiful girls... I realised what happens to them after the calendars are made.. After that they vanish. Where they go, what they do... These questions interested me."

Asked why an established heroine had not been cast in the film, the filmmaker said he wanted to keep it original and authentic.
"The story demanded casting of newcomers more than established heroines, who would otherwise would have looked made-up."

Bhandarkar said he is not a Rs 100-crore filmmaker, but he is confident of the box office success of "Calendar Girls".
"I am a storyteller, not a commercial filmmaker, a realistic filmmaker... Luckily I get box-office success, critical acclaim and sometimes a National Award.
"I am happy in my space. I am not a Rs 100 crore filmmaker. I am cool in what I do. One should do things in any field in what he is comfortable with. I am comfortable with making realistic films," he said.