Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt is always full of stories, and one particularly intriguing tale comes from a phase in his career when he felt disillusioned with directing. Convinced that movies were not significant enough for him to dedicate his entire life to, Bhatt made the momentous decision to walk away from “Ghulam,” a film that was to be headlined by superstar Aamir Khan.
Originally, the blockbuster “Ghulam” was supposed to be directed by Mahesh Bhatt. In a conversation with indianexpress.com, Bhatt recalls an earnest conversation with Aamir Khan, where the actor asked him if he could channel all his passion and dedicate his life to the making of “Ghulam.” Bhatt turned him down, expressing a profound shift in his dedication to filmmaking.
“I chose to walk away from it. I told Aamir, I didn’t think movies meant so much to me that I would dedicate my entire life to it. It doesn’t mean so much to me, and I’d be lying if I said otherwise,” Bhatt shared, noting that Aamir was “quite stunned” by his integrity and honesty.
Bhatt then recommended Vikram Bhatt for the directorial role. “I told him if there is one person who can give his life to it, it is Vikram Bhatt. When I saw ‘Ghulam,’ I announced on stage that he made a better film than I could!” Bhatt reflected, praising Vikram’s dedication and skill.
He continued, “That is the victory of a master… That he may give an unlit candle his flame, but when the flame becomes a radiant sun, you bask in that, it is wonderful.” This sentiment highlights Bhatt’s satisfaction in mentoring Vikram and witnessing his success.
Mahesh Bhatt’s decision to step back from “Ghulam” and his subsequent endorsement of Vikram Bhatt underscores a significant moment in his career and life. It reflects a period where he reassessed his priorities and chose to support the next generation of filmmakers.
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