Madhur Bhandarkar and Kareena Kapoor Khan joined forces in 2012 to create ‘Heroine’, a film that shed light on the darker facets of the film industry. The movie, inspired by the life of a leading actress, received mixed reviews but was acknowledged for its bold storytelling.
In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, Bhandarkar revealed that several industry figures had reached out to appreciate the film. Highlighting its impact, he mentioned receiving calls from numerous actresses and actors, praising the film for its authenticity and truthful storytelling. The overwhelming response from the industry reflects the deep resonance of the movie’s narrative and execution.
One striking moment he recalled was when some actors, whose characters were incorporated into the narration, watched the movie and later commended him for addressing their reality in the film. According to Bhandarkar, the individuals remarked, “You’ve done a great job with my character; I know it was about me.”
The filmmaker emphasised that ‘Heroine’ was not crafted to single out specific individuals. “I’ve not named anybody or said that this character is based on someone specific. I’ve never claimed that,” he stated.
The drama, led by Kareena Kapoor as Mahi Arora, explored the trials of a successful actress grappling with a chaotic personal and professional life. With standout performances by Arjun Rampal as actor Aryan Khanna and Randeep Hooda as cricketer Angad Paul, the film highlighted the challenges faced by celebrities in an unforgiving industry.
While the film garnered mixed reviews upon release, Kapoor’s nuanced portrayal of Mahi earned widespread acclaim. Reflecting on the journey, Bhandarkar said that he loved the movie and always feels very good about it.
