On his 77th birthday, let’s celebrate Mahesh Bhatt as a filmmaker who changed the DNA of Indian cinema.
Mahesh Bhatt is one of the few filmmakers in India that have left a profound and controversial impact on Bollywood. He is known for his fearless storytelling, and personal narratives, while dealing with taboo subjects, in the late 1970s through the 1990s. On his 77th birthday in 2025, it’s the ideal time to revisit the films that not only made him one of Bollywood’s most influential directors but also reshaped cinema with a hint of realism, intimacy, and social issues.
Arth is regarded as Mahesh Bhatt’s breakthrough films and is said to be loosely inspired by his own life. It explored the complexities of marital discord, infidelity, and female agency, and they were issues that were brushed under the carpet in Bollywood at the time.Shabana Azmi’s portrayal of a woman wanting back her independence was both powerful and revolutionary. Even today, Arth remains a reference point for feminist storytelling in Bollywood.
With Saaransh, Bhatt highlighted the struggles of ordinary people by telling the story of an elderly couple (brilliantly played by Anupam Kher and Rohini Hattangadi) grappling with the loss of their only son. The poignant exploration of grief, and resilience against a corrupt system showcased his ability to blend social commentary with deeply personal stories.
The film, starring Sanjay Dutt, highlighted themes of migration, aspiration, and disillusionment. And Bhatt gave another proof that socially conscious storytelling could succeed at the box office. The film straddles art and commerce beautifully.
If Arth and Saaransh made Bhatt a darling of the critics, Aashiqui made him a household name. The musical love story emerged to be a massive box-office success and is still loved for its chart-topping soundtrack by Nadeem-Shravan. The film also ushered in an era of music-driven romances in Bollywood, and remains a turning point in Hindi film music.
One of Bhatt’s most powerful works, Zakhm showcased themes of religion, identity, and communal tension in India. It told the story of a man navigating his mother’s secret interfaith relationship against the backdrop of communal violence. It starred Ajay Devgn in one of his most memorable roles and got Bhatt a National Film Award for Best Director for Bhatt.
While Mahesh Bhatt has stepped back from active direction, he has influenced films through his production ventures under Vishesh Films, co-founded with his brother Mukesh Bhatt. The banner has delivered films like Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991), Raaz (2002), and Murder (2004). Nonetheless, his cinema was never about escapism, but they raised questions about love, morality, politics, and human fragility.
On his birthday, let’s celebrate Mahesh Bhatt as a filmmaker who changed the DNA of Indian cinema. From Arth’s feminist defiance to Zakhm’s political nuance, his filmography is a mirror of India's evolving society and psyche.
