Mahesh Bhatt, renowned for his films like Aashiqui and Sadak, recently opened up about the early days of his career, sharing memories of his time assisting filmmaker Raj Khosla. In an interview with Radio Nasha, Bhatt fondly recounted how he met Khosla during the final schedule of the film Do Raaste, which starred Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz. The iconic song “Tune Kajal Lagaya Din Mein Raat Hogayi” was being filmed when Bhatt first encountered the legendary director.
Bhatt was awestruck by Rajesh Khanna’s unparalleled stardom, saying, “I had not seen stardom like Rajesh Khanna’s ever. Nowadays, stars benefit greatly from digital platforms. Back then, with just a couple of film magazines and limited prints, Rajesh Khanna managed to create a never-before-seen level of fame.”
Reflecting on his work with Khosla, Bhatt shared, “We later made Mera Gaon Mera Desh, starring Dharmendra and Vinod Khanna. Vinod was not just a colleague but a great friend who played a significant role in my life. Without him, I don’t think I would have become the person I am today.”
Bhatt continued to recount his journey, recalling the production of Mera Gaon Mera Desh in Udaipur, praising the film’s memorable music by Anand Bakshi and Laxmikant-Pyarelal. He further mentioned their collaboration on Do Chor, which was directed by Khosla’s assistant, Padmanabh, and produced by Khosla himself. The film was shot in Goa.
Despite starting with a few unsuccessful films, Bhatt’s career truly began with Arth, his sixth film, which was a semi-autobiographical account of his alleged relationship with actress Parveen Babi. Arth garnered critical acclaim, earning two National Film Awards and three Filmfare Awards.
This success marked a turning point for Bhatt, leading to a string of hits throughout the 80s and 90s, including Saaransh, Janam, Sadak, and Aashiqui, solidifying his status as one of the era’s most successful directors.
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