National award winning film director, Madhur Bhandarkar who is known for making hard hitting realistic cinema and has always made films revolving around strong female characters was recently awarded the ‘Iconic man of the decade’ at Women Economic Forum held in Goa.

While he was awarded for Excellence in upholding the cause of women through cinema, actress Vidya Balan was awarded the iconic women of the decade for Excellence in Empowering women-oriented cinema by portraying some magnificent woman characters.

The prolific director who is currently busy with post production of his next, spoke about inspiration to create iconic women characters while interacting with around 300 women from different sphere of lives who were part of the forum.

His films be it Chandani Bar, Satta, Page 3, Fashion, Corporate or Heroine, all have had female protagonists and his next titled Calendar Girls will also have five young girls making their debut in a film that is based on models who become famous after featuring in popular Calenders.