For those who have worked with him, Madhur Bhandarkar is essentially a 'nice person.'

A model and small-time actress' charge that the director exploited her sexually has most film folk shaking their heads in disbelief. Few though were willing to speak about it on the record.

Sandhya Mridul

I don't know what this [controversy] is all about. I worked with him on Page 3. He is an easy person to work with. I remember getting a call from him. I went to meet him. We spoke for about 20 minutes. He said he had seen me only in soft parts and was unclear whether I could do the tongue-in-cheek role he was offering me.

I instantly liked the role and hoped he would cast me and let me improvise. I realised that for the first few days he was watching me warily. Later he gave me enough leeway to perform. Madhur Bhandarkar comes across as an easy professional. He is considerate to his artistes. He is an easy and direct human being. He is friendly too.

All of us found the working atmosphere very good. He makes an actor comfortable. Working with him was a nice experience. He can be a hard taskmaster, but that brings out the best in an actor.

Seema Biswas

I found him a nice person. My makeup man works for him too and is always full of praise for him. [He says] how comfortable he makes everyone. How he has a kind word for everyone. How the atmosphere on his sets is so wonderfully easy and good. I have never heard anything [controversial] like this [about him].