Renowned filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt was born on September 20, 1949 in Mumbai into a family of film makers. He dropped out of college in 1970 and took to filmmaking. Beginning his career as an assistant to director Raj Khosla, he went on to direct his first movie at the age of twenty-one. His movie Saransh won him the Special Jury Award at the Moscow Film Festival in 1985. Mahesh Bhatt became famous with his movies like Arth (1982), Janam (1985) and Naam (1986).
He is known for his unconventional style of filmmaking and his subjects, which reflect many of his experiences in life. In 1998, his movie Zakhm ran into trouble with the censor board because of critical references to the 1993 Mumbai riots. This movie told the story of his Muslim mother and the pressure she suffered for her relation with his Hindu father Nanabhai Bhatt - who was himself a well known film producer. He wrote the book U.G. Krishnamurti: A Life. In 1982, Shabana Azmi essayed an award-winning performance in his movie 'Arth'. His movie 'Saaransh' had debutant Anupam Kher in a memorable role. Mahesh Bhatt started producing films under his banner Vishesh Films set up in 1987, along with his with younger brother Mukesh.
Mahesh Bhatt is the father of renowned actress and director Pooja Bhatt. He has been linked to the renowned Bollywood actress of yesteryears, Parveen Babi, who has since passed away. Some of his other famous movies include Kartoos (1999), Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan (1999) , Angaaray (1998) , Duplicate (1998), Tamanna (1997), Dastak (1996) , Chaahat (1996) , Papa Kahte Hain (1996) , Naajayaz (1995), Criminal (1995), Milan (1995), Naaraaz (1994), Tadipaar (1993) , Gumrah (1993) , Sir (1993), Gunaah (1993), Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991), Siyasat (1988) and Thikana (1987).
