Madhur takes on those who spoke in Ash's support

Touchy Madhur Bhandarkar takes on Vipul Shah

Director Madhur Bhandarkar, still reeling from the news of Aishwarya Rai's pregnancy, which forced him to squash his dream project Heroine, has been expressing his disappointment publicly.

On Sunday, at a suburban multiplex, Bhandarkar accosted filmmaker Vipul Shah, who has on several TV news shows, pledged support for Ash's right to keep her pregnancy under wraps for as long as she did.

When Vipul saw Madhur, he did not expect him to get into an argument at a public place. But Madhur told Vipul he had betrayed a friend by supporting the other side, an eyewitness said.

Shah, who was visibly embarrassed, tried to pacify Bhandarkar, but to no avail. Shah reasoned with the director that he simply supported the actress's right to privacy.

In response, Bhandarkar said he has washed his hands off the matter and the problem is for UTV and the Bachchans to resolve, the eyewitness added.

Shah is apparently not the only one who has had to bear the brunt of Bhandarkar's anger. A source told us, Madhur has been calling up everyone who spoke in defence of Aishwarya.

He's told them that they're not understanding the loss he's suffered and what a setback the actress's withdrawal from the project has been to him.

When contacted, Shah confirmed the incident and said, Yes, I did bump into Madhur. He had a certain point of view to put forward. I respect his opinion, but one has to do what one's conscience allows.

Despite repeated attempts, Bhandarkar remained unavailable for comment.