Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 2: Veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has announced that he will not return to directing films, saying the increasing influence of pre-decided content and creative templates has reduced the role of an artiste in filmmaking.
Speaking in an interview, Bhatt said he is content producing films and theatre plays but has no plans to direct another feature film.
"No, because it is so gratifying to talk about movies so passionately," he said when asked if he would return to the director's chair.
Explaining his decision, Bhatt said filmmaking today is increasingly driven by predetermined formats, leaving little room for artistic freedom.
"Where there is life, there is vitality. There is caution where things are dictated to you. When you are expected to create content according to pre-decided designs, what is the role of an artiste?" he remarked.
Despite his concerns, Bhatt said he does not believe Hindi cinema is going through a hopeless phase. Praising filmmaker Imtiaz Ali's recent work Main Vaapas Aaunga, he said meaningful storytelling continues to thrive.
He noted that audiences still yearn for emotionally resonant stories that reflect real-life experiences and expressed confidence that filmmakers willing to challenge conventional formulas would continue to reshape Indian cinema.
"Storytelling is the lifeblood of humanity. There will always be storytellers who dare to break away from conformity and create something original," Bhatt said, adding that creative voices would continue to emerge despite the growing influence of algorithms and commercial pressures.
Mahesh Bhatt began his directorial journey with Manzilein Aur Bhi Hain in 1974. Although his early films failed to make a mark, he rose to prominence with critically acclaimed films such as Arth (1982) and Saaransh (1984), both of which are regarded as milestones in Indian cinema.
Over the years, he directed several memorable films, including Sadak, Sir, Duplicate, Dastak, Tamanna and Criminal. After stepping away from direction following Kartoos (1999), Bhatt briefly returned to helm Sadak 2 in 2020.
Having directed more than 50 films during a career spanning over four decades, Bhatt remains one of the most influential filmmakers in Hindi cinema, even as he confirms that his journey as a director has come to an end.