Post terror strikes, Bhandarkar refuses to leave Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 8 (IANS) Director Madhur Bhandarkar is quite shaken after the terror strikes on the city and refuses to go anywhere. He just wants to be close to his family.

He was supposed to be on the jury of the Asian Festival Of First Films in Singapore being held from Dec 4 to 11, but the ace director, who wowed the audiences with 'Fashion', refused to fly out.

'I've stopped stepping out of my house unless absolutely necessary. I was the only Indian who was on the jury of the Asian Festival of Films of First Directors in Singapore. And everything was in place, including my ticket. But I just didn't fly out at the last minute,' Bhandarkar told IANS.

Bhandarkar was expected to board the flight Dec 6, but he cancelled it. Apparently, all hell broke loose and the festival authorities even threatened to take legal action.

'It's true they were really upset. But there isn't much I could do because I don't feel like leaving the city,' Bhandarkar said.

The director just wants to be close to his family.

'He is afraid to leave the city. He wants to be as close to his city and his family as possible. He hasn't stepped out of his home since the attacks. He was supposed to leave for Singapore on Sunday. But he just didn't show up at the airport. Whether it was because of the terror threats on the airports, only he knows,' a friend said.