Mahesh Bhatt

{{See also|Bhatt family}}

Bhatt was born to Nanabhai Bhatt and Shirin Mohammad Ali.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/My-wife-and-my-audience-both-took-time-to-understand-me-Emraan-Hashmi/articleshow/20603710.cms |title=My wife and my audience, both took time to understand me: Emraan Hashmi - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=16 June 2013 }} Bhatt's father was a Gujarati Hindu Nagar Brahmin{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Mahesh-Bhatt-tours-riot-ravaged-Ahmedabad/articleshow/7610716.cms|title=Mukesh Bhatt tours riot-ravaged Ahmedabad - Times of India |website=The Times of India|date=22 April 2002 |access-date=25 February 2019}} and his mother was a Gujarati Muslim.{{cite news|title=I have great reverence for women: Mahesh Bhatt |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/I-have-great-reverence-for-women-Mahesh-Bhatt/articleshow/18006519.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201220503/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-14/news-interviews/36311776_1_mother-mary-mahesh-bhatt-shivaji-park|url-status=live|work=The Times of India |date=14 January 2013 |archive-date=1 February 2014}}{{cite web|title=Mahesh Bhatt's article about Ramzan, Ramadan|date=20 July 2012|url=http://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.in/2012/07/mahesh-bhatts-article-about-ramzan.html|access-date=14 December 2013}}

Among his siblings is the Indian film producer Mukesh Bhatt. Bhatt did his schooling from Don Bosco High School, Matunga. While still in school, Bhatt started summer jobs to earn money, while also making product advertisements. He was introduced to film director Raj Khosla through acquaintances. Bhatt thus started as an assistant director to Khosla.

File:Kangana Ranaut at success party for ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI.jpg at the success party for Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai in 2010]]

At the age of 26, Bhatt made his debut as a director with the film Manzilein Aur Bhi Hain starring Kabir Bedi and Prema Narayan in 1974. His 1979 Lahu Ke Do Rang, starring Shabana Azmi and Vinod Khanna in lead roles, won two Filmfare Awards in 1980:{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} Helen received her first Filmfare as Best Supporting Actress and Madhukar Shinde won it for Best Art Direction. The film did "above average" at the box office.{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=185&catName=MTk3OQ== |title=Box Office 1979 |publisher=Boxofficeindia.com |access-date=21 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020102901/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=185&catName=MTk3OQ== |archive-date=20 October 2013 }} He was noticed and received great critical acclaim with art film Arth (1982), when he turned to his personal life for inspiration but doubt persists as to whether it is an original film. Later, he made many more films taking insights from his personal life wherein he highlighted personal narratives ranging from out-of-wedlock birth to extramarital affair, and created critically acclaimed works such as Janam (1985) and Saaransh (1984), an exploration of an old couple's anxieties in a universe governed by arbitrary violence.

Bhatt had one of his biggest releases with musical romance film Aashiqui (1990), in collaboration with T-Series. The film launched Rahul Roy, Anu Aggarwal, and Deepak Tijori in the lead roles and became a major commercial success due to the hugely popular soundtrack by Nadeem–Shravan, which catapulted the music director duo into stardom. He launched his daughter Pooja Bhatt as a lead actress opposite Aamir Khan in Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991). The film was a commercial success and hugely acclaimed for its soundtrack. Bhatt's directorial Saathi (1991) was the only major success for Aditya Pancholi as a lead actor, thus giving a boost to his career.

Bhatt's biggest release during that time was Sir (1993). The film launched Atul Agnihotri opposite Pooja Bhatt and Naseeruddin Shah was featured in the title role of an aspiring and dedicated teacher. The film was a commercial success and gained critical acclaim for Bhatt's direction and the acting of Shah, Pooja, Agnihotri, and Paresh Rawal. The film had an acclaimed and popular soundtrack by Anu Malik, which gave a boost to the music director's stellar career and he joined the league of top music directors of Bollywood.

In 1995 he moved to television, then a newly opening medium in India. He made two TV series in 1995: the English language A Mouthful of Sky written by Ashok Banker and the popular Hindi language serial Swabhimaan scripted by the writer Shobha De. He directed another TV series, Kabhie Kabhie, in 1997 which was written by Anurag Kashyap, Vinta Nanda and Kamlesh Kunti Singh. Following this, he directed dramas like Dastak (1996), the debut film of Miss Universe 1994-turned-actress Sushmita Sen, and Tamanna (1997), and tried his hand at comedy with Duplicate in 1998. Zakhm (1998) based on the Mumbai riots of 1993.

His last film as director was Kartoos (1999) which did average business at the box office. Thereafter, Bhatt retired as a director and took to screenwriting, churning out stories and screenplays for over twenty films, many of which were box-office successes, like Dushman, Raaz, Murder (2004), Gangster (2006), Woh Lamhe (2006), based on the life of actress Parveen Babi, along with many more. His banner vishesh films still continues operating today as one of Indian Cinemas leading production banners. Bhatt entered into the world of theatre with his protege Imran Zahid as of now he has produced three plays. The Last Salute, based on Muntadhar al-Zaidi's book of the same title, a journalist investigating atrocities Trial of Errors, that opened on 29 March 2013 in Delhi. stage adaptation of Bhatt of his movie, Arth (film).{{cite news |newspaper=Gulf News |url=http://gulfnews.com/arts-entertainment/celebrity/mahesh-bhatt-talks-about-the-last-salute-1.751405 |first=Jyoti |last=Kalsi |date=25 January 2011 |title=Mahesh Bhatt talks about 'The Last Salute' |access-date=5 April 2011}}{{cite news |publisher=Zee News |url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/art-and-theatre/review-now-communalism-and-counter-insurgency-ops-on-stage_131062.htm |title=Review: Now, communalism and counter-insurgency ops on stage |date=30 March 2013 |access-date=1 April 2013 |archive-date=14 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414113734/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/art-and-theatre/review-now-communalism-and-counter-insurgency-ops-on-stage_131062.htm |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |publisher=The India Awaaz |url= http://theindianawaaz.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11908&catid=38 |title= Imran Zahid gets applaud in Mahesh Bhatt's 'Trial of Error' |date=30 March 2013 |access-date=1 April 2013}}{{cite news |newspaper= The Hindu |url= http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/theatre/arth-stages-a-comeback/article4966014.ece |title=Arth stages a comeback |date=29 July 2013 |author=Madhur Tankha |access-date= 1 August 2013 }} Bhatt also produced The Last Salute, a play directed by Arvind Gaur, based on Muntadhar al-Zaidi's book, starring Imran Zahid.{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Maheshs-next-on-Iraqi-journalist/articleshow/7686254.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104134442/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-13/news-interviews/28685910_1_iraqi-journalist-muntazer-documentary |url-status=live |archive-date=4 November 2013 |work=The Times of India |title= Mahesh's next on Iraqi journalist|date=13 March 2011 |access-date=21 June 2013}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.timeoutmumbai.net/theatre/features/heels-over-head |title=A footwear-flinging Iraqi journalist inspires a new play, says Time Out |author=Uday Bhatia |date=19 January 2012 |access-date=22 June 2013 |magazine=Time Out |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319043720/http://www.timeoutmumbai.net/theatre/features/heels-over-head |archive-date=19 March 2014 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/footprints-of-dissent/article2017212.ece |title=Footprints of dissent, First Person-Mahesh Bhatt

|author=Mahesh Bhatt|date=14 May 2011|access-date=21 June 2013| newspaper=The Hindu}}

{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2011/06/03/stories/2011060350550200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810144015/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2011/06/03/stories/2011060350550200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 August 2011 |title=Shoe act hits the stage|author=Rana Siddiqui Zaman |date=3 June 2011 |access-date=21 June 2013| newspaper=The Hindu}}

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Bhatt is co-owner of the film production house, Vishesh Films, with his brother, Mukesh Bhatt. However owing to differences between the brothers, Mukesh Bhatt took over Vishesh films and in May 2021, it was publicly announced that Mahesh Bhatt was no more associated with the firm.{{Cite web |last=Hungama |first=Bollywood |date=19 April 2022 |title=The final & irrevocable split between Mukesh Bhatt and Mahesh Bhatt: Mukesh Bhatt NOT invited to Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt wedding. Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama |website=Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/final-irrevocable-split-mukesh-bhatt-mahesh-bhatt-mukesh-bhatt-not-invited-ranbir-kapoor-alia-bhatt-wedding/ |access-date=20 April 2022 |language=en}} He is a member of the advisory board of U.S. nonprofit TeachAids.{{cite news |title=Mahesh Bhatt, leading Indian cultural icon, joins the TeachAIDS Advisory Board|url=http://teachaids.org/blog/mahesh-bhatt-leading-indian-cultural-icon-joins-the-teachaids-advisory-board/ |work=TeachAids|date=31 October 2009|access-date=16 December 2010}}

He has hosted some episodes of two science magazine programmes - Turning Point and Imaging Science on Doordarshan in 1990s.{{Cite web|url=http://www.iscos.org/ijsc/Vol1-No1/review2.htm|title=Indian Science Communication Society|website=www.iscos.org|access-date=9 July 2016}}

{{as of|2018|12}} Bhatt was a member of the Board of Patrons of the Mother Teresa Awards.{{Cite web|url=http://www.motherteresaawards.org/about-us/board-of-patrons/ |title=Board of Patrons - Mother Teresa Memorial Awards|work=Mother Teresa Memorial Awards|access-date=31 December 2018|language=en-US}}

Bhatt believes the Congress party is committed to secularism. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he campaigned in a Karvan-e-Bedari (caravan of awareness) asking people to vote for Congress{{cite news|title=Mahesh Bhatt's karvan comes to Congress' rescue |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/Mahesh-Bhatts-karvan-comes-to-Congress-rescue/articleshow/33680159.cms|access-date=26 April 2014}} and defeat BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, as he believes that Modi is communal.{{cite news|title=Modi is communal, should be defeated, says Mahesh Bhatt|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/dont-want-modi-as-pm-says-mahesh-bhatt/1/357595.html|access-date=26 April 2014}} Bhatt also criticizes the communal record of Congress Party, for its role in 1984 Sikh riots. He is planning to make a film, which will address the riots that took place in Delhi.{{cite news|title=Mahesh Bhatt planning to make a film on 1984 Skih riots by Congress|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/mahesh-bhatt-to-make-film-on-1984-riots/article1-1203457.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403061712/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/mahesh-bhatt-to-make-film-on-1984-riots/article1-1203457.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 April 2014|access-date=31 May 2014}} Mahesh Bhatt supported the Islamic preacher Zakir Naik when the latter was denied entry into the United Kingdom for his controversial comments on terrorism.{{cite news |last= Deshmane|first= Akshay|date= 23 June 2010|title=Zakir Naik will fight back as Canada bans him too |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-zakir-naik-will-fight-back-as-canada-bans-him-too-1400073| newspaper=DNA}}

File:Alia Bhatt and her family attend the opening of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre.jpg Cultural Centre]]

In 1970, Bhatt married Lorraine Bright (later name changed to Kiran Bhatt). His romance with her was the inspiration for his film Aashiqui. The couple's daughter Pooja Bhatt is a filmmaker and actress, and son Rahul Bhatt is an aspiring actor. Bhatt began an affair with 1970s actress, Parveen Babi. The affair did not last long, and Bhatt married Soni Razdan in 1986;{{cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/mahesh-bhatt-claims-of-being-an-illegitimate-child-are-dishonest-triggered-sister-sheila-fatal-illness-dharmesh-darshan-comments-8998459/ |title=Mahesh Bhatt's father didn't abandon either of his two wives, his claims about being illegitimate are 'dishonest': Nephew Dharmesh Darshan|date=25 October 2023 }} to avoid Bhatt having to divorce his first wife, the couple converted to Islam prior to their wedding.{{cite book |last1=Bumiller |first1=Elisabeth |author1-link=Elisabeth Bumiller |title=May You be the Mother of a Hundred Sons |date=1991 |publisher=Penguin Books |location=New Delhi |isbn=9780140156713 |page=183 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=--AvDjnu5xEC}} They have two daughters, author Shaheen Bhatt and film actress Alia Bhatt.{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/1998/mar/19raz.htm |title=The return of Razdan |author=Suparn Verma |work=Rediff.com |date=19 March 1998 |access-date=17 February 2012}}{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=--AvDjnu5xEC&dq=mahesh+bhatt+conversion+islam&pg=PA183 | title=May You be the Mother of a Hundred Sons: A Journey Among the Women of India | isbn=9780140156713 | last1=Bumiller | first1=Elisabeth | year=1991 | publisher=Penguin Books India }} Hindi film actor Emraan Hashmi is his cousin Anwar's son, and filmmaker Milan Luthria is his mother Shirin's grand-nephew. He is the maternal uncle of film director Mohit Suri and former actress Smiley Suri.

In the 1970s, he became a follower of Osho, and later found spiritual companionship and guidance with philosopher, U. G. Krishnamurti. Bhatt calls Krishnamurti his lifeline and says "Take him away, and I am empty". Bhatt in 1992 wrote Krishnamurti's biography titled U.G. Krishnamurti, A Life.{{cite book|title=U.G. Krishnamurti, A Life |publisher=Viking |year=1992 |author=Mahesh Bhatt |isbn=9780140126204 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p_bWAAAAMAAJ&q=mahesh+bhatt+book}} Apart from this he has edited several books based on conversations with U. G. Krishnamurti. Bhatt's latest book A Taste of Life: The Last Days of U.G. Krishnamurti was published in June 2009.{{cite book |title=A taste of Life: The last Days of U.G. Krishnamurti. He considers himself as an alcoholic in one of the TV shows with Rohit Roy, but eventually, he overcomes the alcoholism. |publisher=Penguin Group India |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-14-306716-0 |author= Mahesh Bhatt |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G34bQwAACAAJ&q=mahesh+bhatt+book}}

As a director and producer, Mahesh Bhatt has a legacy of mentoring many actors and actresses and launching their careers, giving big names to Bollywood. He is notable for launching the careers of Anupam Kher in Saaransh (1984), Rahul Roy, Anu Aggarwal and Deepak Tijori in Aashiqui (1990), daughter Pooja Bhatt in Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin and Sadak (1991), Atul Agnihotri in Sir (1993), Sonali Bendre in Naaraaz (1994), Samir Soni in A Mouthful of Sky (1995), Sushmita Sen, Manoj Bajpayee, Sharad Kapoor and Mukul Dev in Dastak (1996), Ashutosh Rana in Tamanna (1997), Dushman (1998) and Sangharsh (1999), Aftab Shivdasani in Kasoor (2001), Dino Morea and Bipasha Basu in Raaz (2002), Aparna Tilak in Footpath (2003), Emraan Hashmi in Footpath and Murder (2004), Mallika Sherawat in Murder (2004), Kunal Khemu in Kalyug (2005), Shiney Ahuja and Kangana Ranaut in Gangster and Woh Lamhe (both 2006){{cite web|title=Anupam Kher's 'People' With Mahesh Bhatt Interview|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUndoL5qsuU| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211106/EUndoL5qsuU| archive-date=6 November 2021 | url-status=live|website=YouTube| date=5 August 2017 |publisher=Republic|access-date=7 August 2017}}{{cbignore}} and Sunny Leone in Jism 2 (2012).{{cite web|title=Sunny Leone says yes to Mahesh Bhatt| url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Television/Sunny-Leone-says-yes-to-Mahesh-Bhatt/Article1-776614.aspx|work=Hindustan Times|publisher=Hindustan Times|accessdate=19 January 2012|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202111347/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Television/Sunny-Leone-says-yes-to-Mahesh-Bhatt/Article1-776614.aspx|archivedate=2 December 2011}}

Bhatt has also given breakthrough to many stars, bringing turning point in their careers. These names include Sanjay Dutt and Kumar Gaurav in Naam (1986), Aditya Pancholi in Saathi (1991), Paresh Rawal in Sir (1993), and Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapoor in Aashiqui 2 (2013).{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}

Bhatt is also known for his choice of music.{{Cn|date=May 2023}} Nadeem–Shravan had their first hit album in Bollywood with Bhatt's directorial Aashiqui.{{Cn|date=May 2023}} They would collaborate with Bhatt in more films including Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin, Sadak and Saathi (1991), Junoon (1992), Tadipaar and Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993). Nadeem-Shravan went on to compose music for several productions of Vishesh Films.{{Cn|date=May 2023}}

{{Main|Mahesh Bhatt filmography}}

{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Mahesh Bhatt}}

Bhatt won four National Film Award for Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Gudia, Tamanna, and Zakhm.{{cite web|url=https://www.dff.gov.in/images/Documents/76_41stNfacatalogue.pdf|title=41st National Film Awards|publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals|access-date=27 March 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/44th_nff_1997.pdf|title=44th National Film Awards|publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals|access-date=9 January 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/46_nff_1999.pdf|title=46th National Film Awards|publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals|access-date=March 12, 2012|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310180429/http://dff.nic.in/2011/46_nff_1999.pdf|url-status=live}}

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