The controversy over the Preeti Jain episode may have left him ‘ruffled' but it was an ‘upbeat' Madhur Bhandarkar that one encountered in the capital this week.

In the capital earlier this week in connection with a restrospective of his films at the India Habitat centre, Madhur seemed at peace with himself, not willing to let the controversy disturb him.

So, mediapersons interviewing him were asked not to pose any queries on the controversy surrounding him over the last month and limit their questions to his professional work.

‘'I'd rather let my work speak for myself rather than dwell on controversy. For I feel, that as a filmmaker, I will, in the long run, only be known for my work,''he told reporters. Preeti, who had created a sensation by accusing Bhandarkar of rape in 2004, found herself on the wrong side of law last month when Mumbai police allegedly uncovered her links with don-turned-politician Arun Gawli. Reportedly peeved at her lack of success in prosecuting Bhandarkar in the courts, she had approached the underworld to arrange a contract killing.