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In 2021, the Hindi film industry was taken aback when Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt, who had collaboratively produced films under the Vishesh Films banner for over three decades, announced their professional separation. In the 1990s and 2000s, they made films like Aashiqui, Sadak, Sir, Raaz, Murder, among many others. For the first time since the split, Mukesh Bhatt spoke candidly about the situation in an interview with Lehren Retro. Addressing the personal nature of their parting, Mukesh said, “I have no bitterness towards him. I don’t know what he feels about me, but there is none from my side.”
Mukesh also took the opportunity to respond to claims made earlier by filmmaker Vikram Bhatt, who alleged that Mahesh had accused Mukesh of exploiting him for years. Even though they have the same surname, Vikram is not related to Mahesh and Mukesh. Rejecting this characterisation, Mukesh stated, “He (Mahesh) is gullible, and people had vested interests in how these brothers could be separated.” He further commented on Vikram’s remarks: “Say what you want to say, I won’t name anyone. Tell Vikram Bhatt to look within himself, listen to his own conscience. He will get the answer whether he’s right or wrong.”
Expounding on his perspective and his admiration for his elder brother, Mukesh added, “I won’t get swayed by what someone says. Mahesh Bhatt is my God, he is my elder brother. I love him deeply and always will. I’m not saying this as a totalI say it from my heart. I wish him respect, love, and prayers for happiness because he is a very good human being.” He acknowledged Mahesh’s vulnerabilities, noting, “No matter how good a person is, everyone has shortcomings. His shortcoming is that he is easily influenced, and he got swept up in that.”
Reflecting on his admiration for Mahesh, Mukesh recounted an incident involving his son Vishesh, who is now heading the production house. Vishesh is now producing Awarapan 2, starring Emraan Hashmi. Mukesh shared, “When this film began, I was told that Bhatt saab had sent a message to Vishesh saying, ‘Congratulations, I wish you all the very best from the bottom of my heart.’ I was very touched to hear that. I was happy that he blessed Vishesh. For me, he is not just an elder brother, he is a father figure. I have always looked up to him as a father figure, so anything coming from him is invaluable.”
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Mukesh returned to addressing Vikram Bhatt’s comments, emphasising his own discernment: “So now if someone tells me that Vikram Bhatt said this or someone else said something else, then I will not kill my husband by listening to these people. (So now, if someone comes to me and says that Vikram Bhatt said this or someone else said that, I will not let such petty talk influence my mind). I am not gullible. That is the difference between him and me. If anyone says Mahesh Bhatt was abusing me so much, I won’t be affected because I know what Mahesh Bhatt truly is. He may say something in anger, but not from his heart.” On the subject of the split, Mukesh admitted he was blindsided: “I never thought we could separate. I always believed only one thing could separate us was death. I never in my wildest dreams thought we would part ways.”
Previously, director Vikram Bhatt, who directed many films under Vishesh Films had described Mukesh Bhatt as an exploiter in an interview with Siddharth Kannan. He recalled, “Bhatt sahab gifted me a painting of a peacock flying over a desert, saying the peacock is like me, flying over a desert in full-blown colors. One day, I was talking to Bhatt sahab and went to the toilet. When I came back, I saw my driver, Inder, taking the painting. I asked him where he was taking it, and he said, ‘Boss (Mahesh Bhatt) asked me to keep it in the car.’ I asked Bhatt sahab, and he told me, ‘You get out of the company.’ When I asked why, he said, ‘My brother (Mukesh Bhatt) has exploited me for years. I don’t want him to exploit you. Go and do something on your own.’”
