Mahesh Bhatt looks back at rise, fall, resurrection

Calls 'Raaz', 'Jism' and 'Jannat' brands which gave him wealth.

MUMBAI: Rise and fall is part and parcel of life, and filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt makes no bones about his own. He says "resurrection", for him, began only once he hung up his boots as director and decided to search and promote new talent.

The 64-year-old National award-winning filmmaker traced his growth trajectory in the 1980s and first half of 1990s.

"I directed 10 films - Arth, Saaransh, Janam, Naam, Kaash, Kabza, Thikana, Awaargi, Daddy and Jurm in the 1980s. Five of them were pathbreaking films.

"In the first half of the 1990s, I directed seven hits - Aashiqui, Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin, Sadak, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Sir, Saathi and Gumrah. The second half of the 1990s was bad. Except for Tamanna, which dealt with the issue of female infanticide and Zakhm, no film made an enduring impact," tweeted Bhatt, who now only produces movies.

He says "nothing fails like success".

"After peaking in the first half of 1990s, my fall began. Even with a rising star like SRK (Shah Rukh Khan in Duplicate), I could not do the magic. Only when I hung my gloves as a director and made a resolve to groom fresh talent did my 'resurrection' start. You have to die to live," he posted.

He admits that some of his recent productions Raaz, Jism and Jannat, which have become successful franchises, are "brands" which gave "wealth".

In the past decade, he has also produced movies like Footpath, Paap, Zeher, Gangster and Woh Lamhe, and given a platform to young directors as well as new actors.