With Madhur Bhandarkar films, you can be assured of two things — each attempts to probe a different sphere of society, examining its highs and hypocrisies, albeit with varying degrees of success. And at the heart of every narrative is a strong-headed female protagonist. His next, Babli Bouncer, stands true on both counts. The director has teamed up with Tamannaah Bhatia to tell the fictional story of a female bouncer. The movie, written by Amit Joshi, Aradhana Debnath and Bhandarkar, will showcase the journey of a woman who travels from Asola Fatehpur to Delhi, to carve her niche in the male-dominated arena.  

While Bhandarkar usually leans towards gritty dramas, he has switched gears for Babli Bouncer, employing comedy to drive the point home. The director, who takes the film on floors today in Mohali, says, “As a filmmaker, there is a lot to look forward to, when you get the chance to explore a never-before-told narrative. I want to tell this story of a female bouncer through a slice-of-life comedic tone that also leaves a lasting impact.”

Bhatia reveals that she began prepping for the movie well in advance, with an emphasis on her physical transformation. The actor has attained an athletic physique to get into the skin of the character. “As soon as I read the script, I fell in love with the role. It’s one of the most exciting characters that I have come across; it has substance. Madhur sir has a flair for crafting defining female protagonists, and Babli too is a powerful part. For the first time, a film will explore the story of a female bouncer. I can’t wait to dive into this new world,” she shares.

Also starring Saurabh Shukla, Abhishek Bajaj and Sahil Vaid in key roles, the Junglee Pictures and Fox Star Studios production will release by the year-end in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.