Madhur Bhandarkar may be fixated with everything that is ‘real’, but that doesn’t mean he won’t incorporate an item song into his film if required. His upcoming release, Jail, will have Sayali Bhagat grooving in a setting very reminiscent of his Chandni Bar.
"The song is titled Bareli ka bazaar and has a beer bar setting to it,” said the director. “I have shot the number in a completely real-life manner, just like Chandni Bar was shot. Since the setting is similar, everything from the look and ambience to the background had to appear real."
But Bhandarkar insists that the song has not been inserted merely as a crowd puller. "The song in Jail is pretty integral to the script," said Bhandarkar. "I have never infused a song in any film of mine just for the sake of it. I have always believed in a song taking the story forward. The same is the case with Bareli ka bazaar and audiences will see for themselves that it is an integral part of the film."
Composed by Bhandarkar's favourite, Shamir Tandon (who composed for Traffic Signal, Corporate and Page 3), Bareli ka bazaar is sung by Sonu Kakkar.
This is not the first time that Bhagat has done an item number. After making her debut with the box office flop, The Train (2007), she was seen in Halla Bol (2008), in which she gyrated to the tune of Is pal ki soch.
Bhagat had to face flak over her weight after the release of Paying Guests, but she has worked hard to get in shape for Jail. "She has lost a lot of weight for the film and is looking very different," said Bhandarkar. "Her entire look has been changed for the song, which has an authentic Indian appeal to it. She has turned out to be stunner in the film and is looking great in her slim and trim avatar."
With Ganesh Acharya choreographing song, it is high on energy. "It was great to see the way Sayali worked so hard for her guest appearance in the film," said Bhandarkar.
“She rehearsed for days to get the steps perfect and would be seen slogging for four to five hours at stretch. I am extremely happy with the results and I am sure that Bareli ka bazaar would be one of the highlight numbers of the season once Jail releases."
Jail, starring Neil Nitin Mukesh, Mugdha Godse, Majoj Bajpai and Arya Babbar, is aiming at an October 23 release.