Mahesh Bhatt is more than just Alia Bhatt’s father and the producer of numerous romantic and erotic thrillers in the 2000s and the 2010s. Much before his legacy as a stalwart Bollywood producer, Bhatt emerged as one of the industry’s foremost directors.
From arthouse offerings like the Doordarshan TV movie Daddy (1989) and his breakout hit Saaransh (1984) to commercial potboilers like the romantic musical Aashiqui (1990) and Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahi (1991), Bhatt has a multi-genre legacy.
It’s only a pity that when he returned to the director’s chair after decades with his 2020 action thriller Sadak 2 (a sequel to his own 1990 commercial and critical hit), the film failed to make a mark. But still, with his production studio Vishesh Films churning out hits by other directors like Aashiqui 2, Jannat, and Gangster, Bhatt’s legacy in the industry continues.
Bhatt’s 80s success with Arth and Saaransh
Despite his success in the 1980s, Mahesh Bhatt actually started his filmmaking career in the previous decade. But his early 1970s credits like Manzilein Aur Bhi Hai (1974) and Lahu Ke Do Rang (1979) failed to make a mark either among critics or audiences. It was with the gritty romantic drama Arth (1982) that Bhatt could actually establish himself as a writer and director.
Featuring career-defining performances by Shabana Azmi, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, and the late Smita Patil, Bhatt drew upon his own extramarital affair to depict a couple's turbulent relationship. A National Award for Best Actress followed for Azmi while Bhatt earned himself his first Filmfare for Best Director.
Arth’s success paved the way for even more critical acclaim with Saaransh (1984), an equally tragic tale of an elderly couple dealing with the loss of their only son. Anupam Kher, who relied on prosthetics to look older than his age, gave a terrific lead performance that won him a Filmfare while Bhatt won another Filmfare for Best Story. The film was also submitted at India’s official entry to the Oscars but failed to make the cut.
From Aashiqui to Sadak: Bhatt’s dominance in the 1990s
While the 80s showered critical praise on Bhatt’s style of observational realism, the director tried his hand at melodramatic romance and action with 90s-era commercial hits. He got to direct many actors who were starting out in the same decade. This can be understood from his collaborations with the Khans of Bollywood like Aamir Khan, who showcased his romantic charm in Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahi (1991) and Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke (1993). Shah Rukh Khan aka SRK also joined forces with Bhatt for Duplicate (1998), one of his many action movies that featured him playing morally grey heroes.
However, the twin highlights of his career at this time were definitely Aashiqui (1990) and Sadak (1991). The former is a romance that is still revered in Bollywood with its timeless love songs that made the career of playback singer Kumar Sanu, music label T-Series, and the composer duo Nadeem-Shravan. As for the action thriller Sadak, Bhatt toyed around concepts from the Martin Scorsese classic Taxi Driver for a movie that remains his highest-grossing credit as director.
Why is Saaransh Mahesh Bhatt’s best movie?
Saaransh is Mahesh Bhatt's best movie due to its emotional storytelling and Anupam Kher's stellar performance. The film addresses profound themes of grief, loss, and societal expectations, showcasing the emotional journey of an elderly couple coping with an unexpected tragedy. Saaransh is still celebrated for its melancholic realism, monologue-rich dialogue, and poignant exploration of human resilience, making it a standout achievement.
Where can you stream Mahesh Bhatt’s filmography?
Prime Video, Netflix, Shemaroo and Hotstar.
