**Veteran Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt Opens Up About Early Struggles in the Film Industry**
*By Isha Sharma | Sep 20, 2025 | 03:39 PM*
Veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt recently spoke candidly about the challenges he faced during the initial years of his career in the film industry. In an interview with PTI, Bhatt described himself as a “stumbling-fumbling” individual who experienced a string of failures when he first started directing.
Bhatt’s debut directorial venture, *Manzilein Aur Bhi Hain* (1974), starring Kabir Bedi and Prema Narayan, failed to make an impact at the box office. This was just the beginning of a difficult phase for the filmmaker. He turned 77 on Saturday, reflecting on a journey filled with ups and downs.
### Career Challenges: “I Was Declared Stillborn… Till *Arth* Happened”
Following his debut, Bhatt directed several films including *Vishwasghaat*, *Naya Daur*, and *Lahu Ke Do Rang*, none of which resonated with audiences. He described his 20s as “disastrous” due to multiple back-to-back failures.
“I was declared stillborn, dead-on-arrival, till *Arth* happened to me,” he shared, referring to the semi-autobiographical drama that finally established his directorial prowess. Other notable films like *Janam* and *Zakhm* also helped him find his footing.
### Personal Reflections: “A Struggling, Stumbling, Fumbling Person”
Despite the rough start, Bhatt remains humble about his journey. “I’m just a struggling, stumbling, fumbling person. Some movies I made would happen to be good,” he admitted. He attributed his successes to the “collective vibe on the set” and the contributions of his collaborators.
Bhatt also acknowledged that many of his films were mediocre or poorly received, but he still considers himself a successful filmmaker.
### Career Beginnings: Bhatt Never Saw Himself as a Filmmaker
Son of director-producer Nanabhai Bhatt, Mahesh Bhatt revealed that he initially did not envision himself as a filmmaker. Instead, he entered the industry simply to make a living.
He recalled a moment of urgency when his family needed financial support: “I remember putting the food down, wiping my hands, and going to my friend Asghar Ali and shouting out to him: ‘Get me a job.’”
### Industry Insights: Philosophy on Success and Failure
Bhatt shared his candid views on the unpredictable nature of the film business. “If you’re frightened of failure, don’t come into this business. Here, failure is a constant and success is a fluke,” he said. He encouraged aspiring filmmakers to develop the courage to face public failure and criticism.
He concluded, “I failed my way to success.”
### New Generation: Why Did He Stop Directing Films?
After a decline in the mid-1990s, with films like *Dastak*, *Chaahat*, and *Duplicate* failing to connect, Bhatt stopped directing after *Kartoos* (1999). He made a comeback as a director only in 2020 with *Sadak 2*.
Discussing his decision to step away from direction, Bhatt said, “I was born with a personality trait, which is either I do things wholeheartedly or I don’t do it.”
—
Mahesh Bhatt’s journey is a testament to perseverance amid setbacks, and his reflections offer valuable lessons for anyone passionate about filmmaking.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/mahesh-bhatt-recalls-early-struggles-in-bollywood/story
