Madhur Bhandarkar maintains realism in 'Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji'

After making a series of issue-based movies, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, who is foraying into the genre of romantic-comedy with Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji (DTBHJ) says he has not departed from his signature style and has given a touch of realism to the issue of love in his new offering.

"It was after Jail that I decided to make a rom-com and not an issue based film. So, thought of making love as an issue this time," Bahndarkar told PTI.

"I never got time to think about making other kind of films. So thought let's take a break and make a glossy film with good songs. A good looking film but keeping realism to the core... no where I am digressing from the realistic part of my cinema," he said.

"It is a fun film. It is a rom-com but it has a tinge of my style, realism. My signature is there in the film. It is no slapstick or brainless comedy film it is very much real," the three time National Award winning director said.

Bhandarkar, who is known for making hard-hitting cinema like Fashion, Traffic Signal, Chandni Bar, Jail and others is pretty confident about his latest outing.

"DTBHJ will have people laughing as they come out of the theatres. I have made people cry with high drama films. But this time around the audiences will have laughing tears," he said.

The film has an ensemble cast of Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Omi Vaidya, Shruti Hassan, Shazahn Padamsee and Shraddha Das in pivotal roles.

Asked why this transition from serious and issue based cinema, Bhandarkar said, "As a filmmaker I feel one must explore all genres and trust me when you see this film my signature of realism very much evident in it."

The youth have often told me to make love stories but keeping the realism in it. The characters both the guys and the gals are next door persons in the film, he said.

About the film, the director said, "It is a slice of life film about three men and their encounters with love. How these guys struggle to cope with modern women and contemporary relationships. With its real characters and relatable situations, DTBHJ takes a humorous look at love and the extent people will go to escape or attain it."

The film is slated for a January 28 release.