Mahesh Bhatt Biography

Mahesh Bhatt is a noteworthy Indian Movie director, producer and screenwriter. He has to his credit many critically acclaimed movies. He is known to make art movies and to produce thrillers and horrors.

Mahesh Bhatt was born on 20th September 1948 to Nanabhai Bhatt, a Gujarati Hindu and Shirin Mohammad Ali, a Muslim. He was raised up as a Muslim by his single mother as his dad never married her as he was having his own family from his wife. Nanabhai Bhatt was a Director and Producer of Hindi and Gujarati Films. He has four sisters and one brother, Mukesh Bhatt, a film producer. He has two kids from his ex-wife Kiran Bhatt, a daughter, actress Pooja Bhatt and a son, Rahul Bhatt. He has two daughters from his second wife Soni Razdan namely Shaheen and Alia Bhatt. Bhatt was schooled in the Don Bosco High School, Matunga.

He started doing summer jobs since his school days. He assisted Raj Khosla at a very young age. The first movie he directed was 'Sakat' (1970) at the age of 21. His 1979 movie 'Lahu Ke Do Rang', starring Vinod Khanna and Shabana Azmi fared averagely at the box office but received awards for performance and Art direction. His major hit was 1982 movie 'Arth', inspired by his personal life. But his outstanding effort in 'Saaransh' (1984) gave him the much needed impetus and recognition. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Story. He then directed the hit movie 'Naam' in 1986 and critically acclaimed 'Kaash' (1987).

In 1987, he started a production house 'Vishesh Films' along with Brother Mukesh Bhatt. Under this production he went on giving hit movies like 'Daddy' (1989) which marked the debut of actress Pooja Bhatt. 'Aashiqui', 'Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin', 'Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke' were some romantic movies directed by Bhatt. Later 'Sadak', 'Junoon', 'Sir' all went hit. His other movies included 'Papa Kahte Hain', 'Dastak' and 'Duplicate'. 'Zakhm' released in 1998 was yet another film based on a real life story and got noteworthy success. It won him the Filmfare Best Story Award and The Nargis Dutt National Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.

Some of the hit films released under his banner which he scripted 'Tamanna', 'Dushman', 'Jism', 'Murder', 'Zeher', 'Gangster' and 'Woh Lamhe' etc. Mahesh Bhatt still continues his journey in the industry with changing roles.