Mahesh Bhatt Gives His Opinion on Saiyaara and Tanvi The Great

Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri and starring Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, released on Friday, July 18. It faced a direct box office clash with Anupam Kher’s directorial debut, Tanvi The Great. What makes the clash even more interesting is that both filmmakers, Suri and Kher, have been mentored by Mahesh Bhatt. Kher had made his acting debut in Saaransh, directed by Bhatt, and now, decades later, both have delivered films that reflect their individual journeys.

In a recent conversation, Mahesh Bhatt shared his thoughts on both directors. Speaking about Suri, he said, “There’s another young filmmaker, who happens to be my nephew, Mohit Suri. He’s made a film called Saiyaara. He made Aashiqui 2 (2013) for me. He’s a bright, young boy. He has his own style, and he’s coming into his own.” At the same time, Bhatt expressed concern about a lack of originality in current Hindi cinema. He added, “But I don’t see an original voice in the landscape today. The burden of an instant box office hit, this box office albatross is weighing down everybody. It makes people take plots and stories which titillate and cater to the senses.”

Bhatt also reflected on how society’s dependence on technology might be affecting the depth of storytelling in films. He said, “The dopamine on smartphones has been numbing your senses. Because you want to escape the reality of the world. Our filmmakers and singers of bygone days would throw you into yourself. Now, content is used as a way to escape yourself. Anything that takes you away from yourself is popcorn, like candy floss. I don’t see filmmakers with great depth anymore.”

In contrast, he praised Anupam Kher for making a film like Tanvi The Great, which he felt had real emotional depth. Bhatt said, “It’s a film which roots for the most vulnerable, an autistic child. And he’s put in all his own money.” Calling the film “entertainment for the soul,” he added, “I’m awestruck by his courage. I’m so proud that what I ripped up in him, which was there in him, 41 years ago in Saaransh, is now coming into full bloom, and on his own.” Even with the clash, Kher graciously congratulated the Saiyaara team for their success and also acknowledged the efforts of his own cast, including actress Shubhangi Dutta, for Tanvi The Great.

Also Read: Alia Bhatt and Shaheen Bhatt celebrate father Mahesh Bhatt’s 75th Birthday with throwback pics