**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 his early struggles in the film industry. In an interview with PTI, he revealed that he was a “stumbling-fumbling” person, delivering several back-to-back failures when he first started directing.
### Early Career Challenges
Bhatt’s first directorial venture, *Manzilein Aur Bhi Hain* (1974), starring Kabir Bedi and Prema Narayan, did not do well at the box office. His subsequent films, including *Vishwasghaat*, *Naya Daur*, and *Lahu Ke Do Rang*, also failed to leave a mark on audiences.
Reflecting on those times, Bhatt said, “My 20s were disastrous. I had three to four films, back-to-back failures. I was declared stillborn, dead-on-arrival till *Arth* happened to me.”
### Turning Point with Semi-Autobiographical Dramas
Bhatt eventually found his footing with semi-autobiographical dramas such as *Arth*, *Janam*, and *Zakhm*. These films resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike, marking a significant shift in his career.
### Personal Reflections: A Humble Journey
Despite the struggles, Bhatt remains humble about his journey. “I’m just a struggling, stumbling, fumbling person. Some movies I made would happen to be good,” he shared. “It was because of the collective vibe on the set, the contribution of my co-travelers.”
He also acknowledged that many of his films were mediocre or even bad, but he still considers himself successful as a filmmaker.
### Career Beginnings: Joining the Industry to Make a Living
Bhatt, the son of director-producer Nanabhai Bhatt, revealed that he never initially saw himself as a filmmaker. He entered the industry simply to make a living.
He recalled a poignant memory when his family was in need of money: “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
Sharing his philosophy on failure and success, Bhatt said, “If you’re frightened of failure, don’t come into this business. Here, failure is a constant and success is a fluke. If you have the courage to take it on the chin, fail publicly, be savage publicly, then come here.”
He added confidently, “I failed my way to success.”
### The Mid-90s Decline and Brief Return to Direction
The mid-90s saw a decline in Bhatt’s directorial ventures, with films like *Dastak*, *Chaahat*, and *Duplicate* failing to connect with audiences. After directing *Kartoos* in 1999, Bhatt stepped away from direction, returning only in 2020 with *Sadak 2*.
Explaining his hiatus, Bhatt said, “I was born with a personality trait, which is either I do things wholeheartedly or I don’t do it.”
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Mahesh Bhatt, who turned 77 recently, remains a respected figure in Indian cinema, known not only for his films but for his candidness and resilience in the face of adversity.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/mahesh-bhatt-recalls-early-struggles-in-bollywood/story
