film maker Vikram Bhatt Confirmed that his mentor Mahesh Bhatt has stepped down from directing permanently, revealed that the veteran’s return for ‘Road 2’ was a one-time exception driven by a personal commitment, not a sign of the future.
Why did Mahesh Bhatt return for ‘Sadak 2’?
Speaking to News18, Vikram Bhatt was unequivocal about Mahesh Bhatt’s directorial future. “No chance! He’s done,” she said. The veteran director originally announced ‘Cartus’ (1999) as his final film as a director before returning 21 years later to direct ‘Sadak 2’ starring his daughters Alia Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt.Vikram Bhatt gives an insight into the motivation behind that unexpected comeback. “I think it was a promise he made to Mukesh Bhatt. He said he would direct if someone else directed it.’ He added, “I never talked to him about it, but the impression I got was that he took the reins when it was needed.”
Mahesh Bhatt continues to write and produce
Although the director’s chair is firmly behind him, Mahesh Bhatt remains an active force in the industry as a writer and producer. Over the years, he has written stories for several Vikram Bhatt films including ‘Kasur’, ‘Raaj’, ‘Inteha’, ‘Juda Hoke V’ and ‘Bloody Ishq’.Vikram Bhatt credits his mentor’s restless energy for keeping him so rich. He shared, “He works because he’s a very active person. He has nothing else on his mind and he can work 24 hours a day. So he does it but it’s not something that elevates his spirit or needs it to survive. He’s past all that. He doesn’t need anything.”
Vikram Bhatt talks about Mahesh Bhatt’s sense of humour
Their long-standing creative partnership has produced almost exclusively horror films and thrillers. Asked why they never entered the light zone, Vikram Bhatt was candid. He said, “Boss, as I call him, is too intense for comedy. I don’t think he thinks comedy. But he has a very good sense of humour. And he has done some wonderful films like Hum Hai Rahi Pyaar Ke and Duplicate, but his go-to passion is not comedy or horror.“Vikram also spoke warmly about Mahesh’s cooperative attitude. She added, “He’s always supportive of my thinking. He’s not trying to sway my thoughts to his thoughts, which is great.”
Vikram Bhatt’sSpooky 3D : Echoes of the Past’
Vikram Bhatt’s latest directorial, ‘Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past’, starring Sakhanaya Chakraborty, releases in theaters on June 12, 2026. Despite mixed critical reception, the film crossed Rs 15 crore at the box office.
