New Delhi. Famous filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who has directed and produced more than 80 films like ‘Lahoo Ke Do Rang’, ‘Abhimanyu’, ‘Arth’, ‘Saaransh’, ‘Aashiqui’, ‘Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin’ and ‘Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke’, needs no introduction today. He worked tirelessly and established himself in such a way that today he is counted among the hit filmmakers of the industry. But there was a time when he had to work very hard to polish his career. With the help of Raj Khosla, a superstar of the 70s shaped his faltering career in such a way that he says that he is whatever he is because of him.
Mahesh Bhatt has been one of those gems of the industry who has spread his shine everywhere on the basis of his hard work. Recently Mahesh Bhatt talked about the early days of his career and also shared memories of the time when he helped filmmaker Raj Khosla.
First meeting with Raj Khosla
In a conversation with Radio Nasha, Mahesh Bhatt told how he met Raj Khosla in 1969 during the final schedule of the film ‘Do Raaste’, which had Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz in the lead roles. He told that the song ‘Tune Kajal Lagya Din Mein Raat Ho Gayi’ from this film was being filmed, during which he met the famous director Raj Khosla for the first time.
Stardom like Rajesh Khanna was never seen again
During the conversation, he also recalled Rajesh Khanna’s stardom. Mahesh Bhatt said that he was surprised to see Rajesh Khanna’s stardom. He says- ‘I had never seen stardom like Rajesh Khanna before. Nowadays stars benefit a lot from digital platforms. But at that time, with just a few film magazines and limited prints, Rajesh Khanna managed to create a level of fame that was never seen before.’
‘I am what I am because of Vinod Khanna’
Talking about working with Raj Khosla, Mahesh Bhatt said, ‘We later made ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh’ starring Dharmendra and Vinod Khanna. Vinod Khanna was not just a colleague for me, but he was also a great friend who played a very important role in my life. Without him, I don’t think I would have become the person I am today.’
The sixth film proved lucky for his career
Mahesh Bhatt, recalling the early days of his career, talked about the making of ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh’ in Udaipur and also praised the music of Anand Bakshi and Laxmikant-Pyarelal in the film. He told that when I started in the industry, his films were not getting much response from the audience. However, despite starting with some unsuccessful films, Mahesh Bhatt managed to establish his career. His film ‘Arth’, which was his sixth film, played a special role in this. This success proved to be a turning point for Bhatt. After this film, many of his films of the 80s and 90s including ‘Saaransh’, ‘Janam’, ‘Sadak’ and ‘Aashiqui’ proved to be hits.
Tags: Mahesh Bhatt, Rajesh Khanna, Vinod Khanna
FIRST PUBLISHED : August 10, 2024, 08:53 IST