Director Tigmanshu Dhulia yesterday released journalist cum author Aashu Patel's debut English novel, Madam X. The novel will be made into a film to be helmed by Tigmanshu himself.

Talking about the book and the film, Tigmanshu said, "I hate movies that glorify the underworld. The only movie made on underworld which was close to reality was Satya. Unfortunately, in our industry films are made on a film. If one film belonging to a genre becomes a superhit, other films based on the same are made. Madam X is about a woman who goes on to become a mafia don due to the societal circumstances. It is called X because when she finally disappears, the Delhi police name her file as Madam X."

While Tigmanshu has finalised Huma Qureshi for his film, he refused to reveal if she would play the titular role. "I am looking for a simple girl. Huma is there in the film but I can't say anything more. All I would say is Madam X will be the Umrao Jaan of the underworld."

The director also said that he would keep his film as close to reality as possible and will not in any way romanticise or glorify the underworld. Speaking about the Underworld-Bollywood nexus, Tigmanshu said, "It is no longer in existence here."

Earlier reports suggested that Anurag too would be associated with the film. Tigmanshu however said that he is not sure about Anurag because the latter is busy with Bombay Velvet.

Also present at the launch were directors Anant Mahadevan and Sanjay Chhel.