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Mahesh Bhatt reveals Pooja Bhatt was first choice for Aashiqui, discusses Alia Bhatt, granddaughter Raha, and remembers Parveen Babi.
Mahesh Bhatt discusses Alia and Pooja Bhatt collaboration.
Mahesh Bhatt, who is currently gearing up for the release of his next movie, Tu Meri Poori Kahaani, recently interacted with CNN-News18 Showsha when he talked about a number of things. While fans wait for Aashiqui’s spiritual sequel ‘Aashiqui 3’ starring Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela, Bhatt revealed that actress Pooja Bhatt was the original choice for the role of Anu Verghese in his film. Besides this, Mahesh Bhatt also talked about his daughter, top actress Alia Bhatt and granddaughter Raha. Here are some of the excerpts from the interview:
Pooja Bhatt Was The First Choice For Aashiqui
Mahesh Bhatt shared that Pooja was initially offered the lead role in ‘Aashiqui’ but turned it down because her boyfriend at the time didn’t want her to do it. However, when Pooja later saw one of the songs being filmed on Anu Aggarwal, she regretted her decision.
“Pooja Bhatt told me that the first time a film like ‘Aashiqui’ was offered to her, she had to say no because her boyfriend didn’t want her to be in films,” says Suhrita.
Mahesh Bhatt further added that “Pooja was brave enough to tell me she didn’t think she was cut out to be an actor, so she said no to Aashiqui. But then she confessed to me that when she came for the shooting of ‘Aashiqui’ in Ooty, while we were filming with Rahul Roy and Anu Aggarwal, she said, ‘When you were picturising those hit songs, I felt envious ‘Ah, I should have done it!’ And then immediately she jumped in and did ‘Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin’.”
Will Alia Bhatt Collaborate With Pooja Bhatt Soon?
Furthermore, Mahesh also spoke about the possibility of bringing both his daughters, Alia Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt, together in a film, though he is still waiting for the right script. “We don’t know what tomorrow can bring. As of now, I see no such story that fits. And I know both Pooja and Alia are very fierce in their choices; they are very particular about the characters they choose to give their life to.”
Mahesh Bhatt Reveals Granddaughter Raha’s Nickname
Alia, of course, is part of the first family of Hindi cinema, the Kapoors, who are also known for giving their children endearing nicknames like Chintu, Chimpu, and Daboo. When quizzed about the nickname in their family for Alia’s daughter Raha, Mahesh replied: “We call her Rahu or Raha it means the sounds that elders make. Essentially, she is still called Raha.”
Mahesh Bhatt Remembers Parveen Babi
Mahesh Bhatt also reflected on how the late actress Parveen Babi gave a new lease of life to his career. While remembering Parveen, Bhatt added, “She was an extraordinary lady, and had it not been for her, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Arth was my rebirth in a way—after my disastrous beginnings in my 20s, when I got into my 30s, the first film I made at 32 was Arth. And Arth was possible because of my relationship with Parveen Babi and my traumatised relationship when I gave up a home with my first love, my first wife Kiran Bhatt. So that was the bedrock—the truth on which Arth was made. But fortunately, I was sane enough not to make it from a male perspective but from a female perspective, which was a very refreshing take on the extramarital issue. Until then, all men who made movies in Bollywood approached it from a male perspective.”
Meanwhile, Bhatt’s next movie, Tu Meri Poori Kahaani, stars Hirranya N Ojha and Arhaan Patel in lead roles alongside Tigmanshu Dhulia, Shammi Duhan, Juhi Babbar, and Avtar Gill. Co-written by Mahesh Bhatt and directed by Suhrita Das, the film is scheduled to release in cinemas on September 26, 2025.
September 25, 2025, 19:08 IST
