By Oindrila Muhuri Last Updated:
Mahesh Bhatt is one of the hugely successful filmmakers in the Hindi film industry. He made his directorial debut with a crime thriller film, Manzilein Aur Bhi Hain, in 1974. Since then, he has worked non-stop in a number of films, including Raaz, Jism, Murder, Gangster, Woh Lamhe, Jannat, and Murder 2, among others. However, with immense success came the 'severe problem of alcohol’ in Mahesh's life.
During the peak phase of Mahesh Bhatt's professional career, with the blockbuster success of his films, including Arth and Saaransh, the popular director became extremely addicted to the consumption of alcohol. In many of his interviews, Mahesh has also accepted his habit of excessive drinking and how it became a big hindrance in his life. Not only that, he got a habit of finishing off a full bottle of whiskey within a day. But something happened that completely changed his outlook towards life, and he left drinking forever.
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In a recent interview with the Indian Express, Mahesh Bhatt admitted that he was dealing with the severe problem of being an alcoholic. He also mentioned how both his professional and personal life was getting disturbed by the same. Thus, recalling the time when a lot was happening in his life, and he felt the need to fight severe alcoholism, Mahesh shared that it was the birth of his and his second wife, Soni Razdan's first daughter, Shaheen Bhatt's that led him to the path of sobriety.
Explaining the same, Mahesh mentioned that it was only after Shaheen's birth that he left drinking forever. Veteran filmmaker, who has seen a good amount of highs and lows in the industry, shared that after the child was born, his wife, Soni, would often tell him to stop drinking. However, Mahesh also recalled how he drank the whole night after his wife came back home with Shaheen. Finally, when he took Shaheen in his arms and leaned to kiss her, the baby girl had turned him away. This was when he actually got the realisation, and since that day, he never touched alcohol. Explaining the same, he stated:
“I felt I couldn’t have my newborn baby turn away from me. Life was telling me something through this child. That was grace. I gave up drinking. I never touched a drop of alcohol after that. People would wonder, ‘Oh it is impossible, Mahesh Bhatt can’t stop drinking.’ But I did. I didn’t go to any doctor, took some pill, and went to AA. I just gave it up. Daddy was born there — the daughter who becomes the trigger for the father.”
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Mahesh Bhatt is a lovely daddy to four of his kids, including Pooja Bhatt, Rahul Bhatt, Shaheen Bhatt and Alia Bhatt. However, the bond Mahesh shares with Shaheen is unmissable. Time and again, the doting daddy can be seen turning into a cheerleader for his baby girl's achievements. For instance, earlier, when on World’s Mental Health Day, Shaheen launched her book, Never Been (Un)Happier, which talks about her depression, Mahesh was present with her along with the other members of the family.
However, Mahesh got miffed at the journalists when they asked for answers from her at the launch. He got completely uncontrollable and uncomfortable with the questions of the media personnel on his daughter, Shaheen, and was heard saying:
“I can’t expect a young little girl to fit into this sick world where brutality is legitimized.”
To watch the video, click here.
For the unversed, Mahesh Bhatt’s daughter, Shaheen Bhatt made her screen debut with her didi, Pooja Bhatt’s acting debut in the film, Daddy.
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