Legendary Bollywood filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt will turn a year older this week and celebrate his 74th birthday on September 20.
The writer, director, and producer has masterminded popular movies, which have entertained cross-generational audiences across the decades. He has also introduced new talent and kick-started franchises. The movie maverick will no doubt receive warm wishes on his big day, including from his superstar daughter Alia Bhatt and famous son-in-law Ranbir Kapoor.
Eastern Eye decided to join the celebrations by listing his top 10 movies.
Arth (1982): After a number of misfires, Bhatt made his big breakthrough as a writer and director with this all-time Bollywood classic based on his own extra-marital affair. Shabana Azmi, Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Smita Patil played the lead roles in a drama about a marriage being destroyed by infidelity. Shabana Azmi would win multiple honours for her stunning performance, including a National Award for Best Actress.
Saaransh (1984): This story of an elderly couple coming to terms with the loss of their only son received rave reviews and was India’s official entry for the 1985 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Anupam Kher completely transformed himself for the star-making role and won a well-deserved Filmfare Award for Best Actor. Writer-director Bhatt would win a Filmfare Award for Best Story for his deeply emotional drama.
Naam (1986): This film is largely remembered for the iconic song Chithi Aayi Hai, but it is so much more than that. Bhatt was on directing duties for this powerful drama of two brothers taking contrasting paths and how one of them goes abroad to seek a better life, but is faced with tragedy. This film documented the immigrant experience brilliantly and remains relevant today.
Daddy (1989): Bhatt was once again on directing duties for this low-budget film with a big giant beating heart. His daughter Pooja Bhatt made her acting debut opposite Kher in this stand-out drama of a young girl who helps her father overcome his alcoholism. The unique film would win various awards, including multiple acting honours for lead star Kher.
Aashiqui (1990): Rahul Roy and Anu Aggarwal made their film debuts in this iconic romantic drama, which produced one of the biggest selling soundtracks of all time. Bhatt directed the intense love story, which connected strongly with audiences. He would later produce successful spiritual sequel Aashiqui 2 (2013), which also had wonderful songs and a memorable love story.
Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (1991): This stunning adaptation of legendary Hollywood film It Happened One Night (1934) is one of the greatest Bollywood road movies of all time. Bhatt brilliantly directed the story of an heiress who runs away and ends up going on an unexpected journey with a loud-mouthed journalist. Pooja Bhatt and Aamir Khan are superb in the lead roles of a marvellous musical filled with memorable moments.
Sadak (1991): Bhatt directed this powerful romantic thriller starring Sanjay Dutt and Pooja Bhatt. The story of a taxi driver trying to help a young woman sold into prostitution had many powerful moments and one of the most memorable on-screen villains of all time. Like many of his films, the box office success had a brilliant soundtrack.
Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993): Bhatt directed this multiple award-winning film, which was heavily inspired by classic Hollywood film Houseboat (1958). Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla headlined the film about a man who is the guardian of his deceased sister’s mischievous kids, and how a runaway woman positively impacts them. The heart-warming film had great music and a beautiful central love story.
Zakhm (1999): Many would argue that this powerful drama is the finest film of Bhatt’s career. He wrote and directed the heartfelt story based on actual events. The story sees a Hindu man fighting to give his Muslim mother a proper burial, in the light of inter-religious riots and radicals determined to cremate her. Through flashback, we see the painful background to his plight. It would win a Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration and lead star Ajay Devgn earned a National Award for Best Actor.
Raaz (2002): The supernatural horror inspired by Hollywood film What Lies Beneath (2000) kick-started a new Bollywood phase for Bhatt as a writer. The sleeper super hit would trigger a successful franchise. Other successful films he would write included Jism (2003) and Gangster (2006). He would also produce multiple hits during this phase including Murder (2004), which also evolved into a franchise.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.