Top News

After spending decades behind the camera and delivering some of Hindi cinema’s most memorable films, Mahesh Bhatt has now made peace with leaving direction behind. While the veteran filmmaker continues to remain active as a producer and enjoys backing films and theatre projects, he says directing another feature film is no longer something he wants to do. For Bhatt, the reason isn’t a lack of passion for cinema but the way filmmaking itself has evolved over the years.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Mahesh Bhatt was asked whether audiences could ever expect another film directed by him. His answer was simple. “No.” He added that he now finds joy in discussing cinema rather than making it.

Also Read: Inside Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce’s Rumoured Big Day: Here’s Everything Being Reported So Far

Explaining what led him to this decision, Bhatt said the creative space available to filmmakers today feels very different from what it once was. According to him, when projects begin with fixed templates and predetermined expectations, the space for genuine artistic expression becomes much smaller.

He questioned what an artist is really left with if the content has already been shaped before the creative process even begins.

While Bhatt admits the industry has changed, he doesn’t believe Hindi cinema has lost its soul. In fact, he feels every generation produces storytellers who refuse to follow formulas.

During the conversation, Bhatt spoke highly of Main Vaapas Aaunga by Imtiaz Ali, calling it one of the best things he has watched recently. Even with all these concerns, Bhatt doesn’t believe Hindi cinema is beyond hope. In fact, he brought up Main Vaapas Aaunga by Imtiaz Ali and called it one of the finest things he has watched in recent times.

Also Read: Did Stebin Ben’s Mother Ignore Nupur Sanon? Singer Finally Clarifies Speculation Around Viral Video

He said films like these remind him that audiences haven’t stopped looking for stories that speak to them emotionally. According to him, people still respond to honesty on screen, regardless of what is trending.

He also admitted that platforms today are heavily influenced by algorithms and numbers, something he feels has changed the way content gets made. At the same time, Mahesh Bhatt doesn’t believe every filmmaker will choose the safer route. He feels there will always be people who are willing to take chances and back stories they genuinely believe in.

Mahesh Bhatt began his filmmaking career with Manzilein Aur Bhi Hain in 1974. Although his initial films struggled commercially, everything changed after Arth was released in 1982. The film went on to become one of the defining relationship dramas in Indian cinema.

He followed it with Saaransh, which gave Anupam Kher one of the most celebrated performances of his career. Over the next few decades, Bhatt directed several memorable films, including Sadak, Sir, Criminal, Tamanna, Duplicate, and Dastak. He also penned the story for Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Bhatt has stepped away from direction. He had announced a similar decision after Kartoos in 1999, before making a brief comeback with Sadak 2 in 2020. This time, however, his words suggest the decision is final.

Whether or not he returns to directing a film, Mahesh Bhatt’s films continue to be an important part of Hindi cinema’s legacy.

Also Read: Is Curry Barker’s Horror Film Obsession Available To Stream Online? Here’s What We Know

The post Mahesh Bhatt Says He Won’t Direct Films Again, Reveals Why He Has Stepped Away From Filmmaking first appeared on MissMalini.