Mahesh Bhatt on his relationship with Vikram Bhatt as the director turns 55: ‘Like the banyan, he has outgrown the shadow he started with – Exclusive | – The Times of India

As Vikram Bhatt celebrates his 55th birthday, his mentor Mahesh Bhatt opens up about their remarkable journey together. From his early days to his success Raaz franchiseMahesh shares heartfelt insights on their enduring bond, Vikram’s resilience in the industry, and the lessons he has learned along the way. Part …
How do you assess your relationship with Vikram today?
The banyan starts as a dependent, borrowing a shade, space under another tree and drinking from the other’s roots. But this is not a weakness; This is strategy. It studies the ground before staking a claim, studies the air before standing against it. And then, one day, it sends its roots down, finds its strength, and becomes the thing others lean on.
When did Vikram meet you for the first time?
Vikram was just a child when he first wandered onto my set with his father, Praveen Bhatt, my DOP. She and my daughter, Pooja, were childhood friends, playing on the margins of my world while I was building worlds in Bangalore. Those are my fondest memories – before the weight of ambition, before the scars of war – of a boy lost in the magic of cinema.
Vikram has made you an idol for life?
His mother once said to me, “Do you know what he does in his free time at home? He copies you. He says he wants to be like you. ” And look where we are today. Together, we gave birth to the Raaz franchise, films that defined a genre and left a mark. But more than that, we forged a journey that refuses to end. The only lesson Vikram has picked up from me: There are no finishing lines in this game. You just keep going. You knock, you get up before the bell rings, and you keep going.
Has Vikram’s output been questionable in recent years?
He is still at the crease, batting through so many seasons and weathering every storm. In Bollywood, survival is the hardest art. They make you count the moment you fall. But Vikram? Vikram gets up. Every time.
But he’s still your protégé?
Like the banyan tree, he has carried forward the shadow he started. She has her own voice, her own space, and yet, she has made space for me too. In my journey, he has created a space where I do what I do best: mentor younger talent, guide writers, actors and directors towards discovering their voices.
How does that explain Vikram’s enduring relationship with you in this fickle industry?
As Al Pacino famously said, “It’s easy to fool the eye, but hard to fool the heart.” This is the secret of our lasting relationships. And Vikram, after all these years, is still standing. Because he also plays with his heart. Because he refuses to leave. Because he knows – as Muhammad Ali said, “You don’t lose if you get knocked down. If you stay down you lose. “Happy Birthday, Kid!!!
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