Mahesh Bhatt began his career in the Indian film industry as an assistant director to Raj Khosla, following his early schooling at Don Bosco High School in Matunga. Born in Mumbai in 1948, he transitioned from making product advertisements to becoming a prolific writer, director, and producer who defined key movements in Hindi cinema across the 1980s and 1990s.
Early Directorial Work
At age 26, Bhatt directed his first film, Manzilein Aur Bhi Hain (1974). His 1979 production, Lahu Ke Do Rang, earned two Filmfare Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Helen and Best Art Direction for Madhukar Shinde. He gained significant critical attention with Arth (1982), a film that drew upon his own experiences. This established his approach of integrating personal narratives into his creative output, a style he later refined in films such as Janam (1985) and Saaransh (1984), the latter of which was India's official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
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Take the IQ test →Commercial Success and Vishesh Films
In 1987, Bhatt partnered with his brother, Mukesh Bhatt, to establish the production banner Vishesh Films. The company produced numerous commercial successes, including the musical romance Aashiqui (1990) and Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991), the latter featuring his daughter, Pooja Bhatt. During the 1990s, he directed several commercially significant projects such as Sadak (1991), Sir (1993), and the comedy Duplicate (1998). His 1999 film, Zakhm, provided an autobiographical exploration of the 1993 Mumbai riots.
Television and Producing Career
Bhatt expanded into television in 1995, directing the English-language series A Mouthful of Sky and the Hindi serial Swabhimaan. He continued this work with the 1997 series Kabhie Kabhie. Following his final directorial project, Kartoos (1999), he shifted his focus to screenwriting and producing. Under Vishesh Films, he produced projects including Raaz (2002), Jism (2003), Murder (2004), Gangster (2006), Awarapan (2007), Jannat (2008), Murder 2 (2011), and Aashiqui 2 (2013). His professional association with Vishesh Films concluded in May 2021.
Fast facts
- Born: 1948, Mumbai
- Citizenship: India
- Education: Don Bosco High School
- Key Productions: Vishesh Films
- Major Recognition: Filmfare Award for Best Story
- Final Directorial Film: Kartoos (1999)
- Religion: Islam
- Languages: Hindi
Questions readers ask
What was Bhatt's first commercial film?
His 1986 film, Naam, was his first piece of commercial cinema.
Did Mahesh Bhatt work with his family?
Yes, he co-founded the production company Vishesh Films with his brother, Mukesh Bhatt, and directed his daughter, Pooja Bhatt, in several films.
Achievements
- Educated at Don Bosco High School
- Worked as film director, film producer and screenwriter
