During his career, he has directed a number of notable movies like Aashiqui, Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin and Sadak. He also made a few television shows.
Aashiqui
Ayushmann Khurrana is a certified past master at playing imperfect, self-doubting men trying to surmount physical and psychological hurdles. He tilts at another one in Abhishek Kapoor’s Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, where he plays a gym owner with a social taboo about his sexuality.
Vaani Kapoor, on the other hand, is a revelation in her role as Maanvi, a trans woman. She plays the role with conviction, making it easy to root for her and her cause.
While the film is certainly a welcome step in normalising Maanvi’s situation, it also soft-pedals important aspects of transitioning. While the characters of Manu and Maanvi are able to navigate their crisis without any major obstacles, they do so in the context of an often bigoted society that is unable to accept people who don’t fit into conventional gender roles.
In many ways, Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui reflects that a lot of India’s progress has been based on a societal shift that started with a few key individuals. But the fact is that until the film industry continues to fuel humour and bigotry, it will continue to be a struggle for people who want to live their lives outside of their prescribed gender identity.
Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin
Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin is one of the most popular movies from Mahesh Bhatt's cinema. It stars Aamir Khan and Pooja Bhatt and was a hit at the box office.
It tells the story of a rich heiress who runs away from her father and heads to Bangalore to be with her lover. She is helped by a smart-alecky journalist, who ends up falling in love with her.
Directed by Mahesh Bhatt, the movie stars Pooja Bhatt in her first lead role and Aamir Khan as her boyfriend. It was loosely inspired by the 1934 Hollywood film, It Happened One Night.
The film was a box-office success and boosted the career of newcomer Pooja Bhatt. It also cemented Aamir Khan's status as a romantic actor. Besides, it has some great music that is still appreciated today. The film's soundtrack was composed by the music duo Nadeem-Shravan and consists of songs like “Mainu Ishq Da Lagya Rog”, “Dil Tujhpe Aa Gaya” and “Title Song”.
Sadak
A blockbuster in its times, Mahesh Bhatt’s 1991 film Sadak is a must-watch. The film revolves around a taxi driver and a woman who is forced into prostitution by an evil transgender pimp. It also stars Sanjay Dutt and Pooja Bhatt in pivotal roles.
The film has received a mixed response. Some people liked it while others thought that the film was dated and lacked substance.
Besides Sanjay Dutt and Pooja, the movie features Jisshu Sengupta, Gulshan Grover, Makrand Deshpande and Priyanka Bose in pivotal roles. In addition to that, it marks Mahesh Bhatt’s return to the director’s chair after 21 years.
Another movie that was loved by Mahesh Bhatt is Naam, which is a 1988 thriller starring Raj Babbar and Sanjay Dutt. It revolved around drugs and the world of love.
It was a success in the box office and remains popular even after decades. The film was directed by Mahesh Bhatt and produced by his son Mukesh Bhatt.
Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke
Featuring Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla and Kunal Khemu, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke was Mahesh Bhatt's funniest film and also one of his most successful. It has some great visual effects and a good mix of wacky fun and romance.
'Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke' is a light-hearted Hindi masala flick that's worth watching for the laughs it provides and the nostalgia factor it evokes. It's also a pretty good movie to watch with your family because it's a feel-good story that will have everyone smiling and singing along.
The film also features the best score of its kind by Nadeem-Shravan which really helps to make this movie a success. The main song 'Ghoongat ki aayi' is the best example of this.
Aamir Khan is surprisingly restrained and effective as the hero, while Juhi Chawla is very vivacious and funny in her all-out comic role. The film also has a few nice technical touches, like the 'hoverboard' that makes one of the movie's most memorable scenes. Despite the film's dated production values and its obnoxious climax, it has its charms. Its soundtrack is a hoot and a half and it's accompanied by some very well-done music videos.
Zakhm
Zakhm is one of the best films made by Mahesh Bhatt during the 1990s. The decade had seen him make a lot of bad movies, but this one stands out for being a genuine work that is hard to come by nowadays.
The film revolves around the 1993 communal riots and the struggles of a Muslim woman who had two children by a Hindu man. She tries to hide her religion from her son and even visits a church in his presence.
Ajay Devgn does well as a character who is both a macho fighter and a sensitive soul. His eyes do most of the talking here and he carries a great intensity that balances his vulnerability very effectively.
Despite its flaws, it remains a moving and riveting experience. It has a lot to teach and it is definitely a must watch for people who are looking for a good cinema.
It is a powerful drama that explores the rift that exists in Indian society as a result of religion-based politics. It is a sincere portrayal of the riots and the plight of those who were victims of them.
Hamari Adhuri Kahani
Love is one of the most beautiful emotions, that uplifts the vibrations of the universe and it can be found in everything we do. This theme drives many great films and Hamari Adhuri Kahani is no exception.
The film is directed by Mohit Suri and stars Vidya Balan, Emraan Hashmi and Rajkummar Rao in key roles. It is co-produced by Vishesh Films, which has produced many of Mahesh Bhatt's recent films.
It tells the story of Vasudha, a single mother who lives a lonely life after her husband Hari disappeared five years ago. She continues to wear a mangalsutra and writes fake birthday cards to their son, so that he doesn't think his father abandoned them.
But when she meets Aarav Ruparel (Emraan Hashmi), a hotel magnate, she falls in love with him. It's a romantic affair that takes her to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Shimla.
The movie is not only a heartwarming tale of love, but it also explores the complications of marriage. It is a surprisingly complex film and the story is told from an unusual angle.
Sadak 2
Sadak 2 is the second film directed by Mahesh Bhatt after a gap of 20 years. It stars Sanjay Dutt and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles.
Its plot revolves around a taxi driver Ravi Kishore Verma (Sanjay Dutt) who is devastated by the demise of his wife Pooja (Pooja Bhatt). After he tries to commit suicide, his friend Kailash (Aditya Roy Kapur) takes him to a hospital where his doctor tells him that he will not be able to get better.
He then meets Aarya Desai (Alia Bhatt), who is trying to take down a fake godman played by Makarand Deshpande. In one of her initial scenes, she paints a placard of Gyaan Prakash with the word ‘revenge’ and sets it on fire. Her family labels her as a cynic and sends her to a mental hospital.
Despite some genuinely moving moments, this movie is weighed down by ponderous dialogues, a slow pace and an utterly dull storyline. Its lacklustre twists, dreary songs and multiple references to suicide and faith without any depth are just a few of its woes.
