Mahesh Bhatt: I am happy that my girls Alia and Pooja are unique

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt is a proud father when he talks about actors Pooja Bhatt and Alia Bhatt and their achievements in the film industry. While Pooja, 45, ruled the silver screen in the ’80s and ’90s, Bhatt’s younger daughter Alia, 24, is a youth icon today.

Bhatt is happy how Pooja, who won been part of films such as Daddy (1989), Sadak (1991) and the National Award winning film Tamanna (1997) is passionate about filmmaking even now. “I am very happy that my girls are unique. Pooja is still doing wonders by doings things, which others normally don’t do. Movie making is part of her life, and although she was never keen on acting—she wanted to do a movie directed by me because I wanted to make Daddy,” says Bhatt.

The 68-year-old filmmaker says that Pooja is a self-made person. “She had a successful career, but she was not interested in being an actor. She wanted to make movies and produce them. But the best part about Pooja is that she has always lived life on her terms, and for a parent, nothing can be more gratifying than that. She is self -sufficient and did not take a penny from me,” Bhatt adds.

Talking about Alia, who made her debut with Karan Johar’s film Student of The Year (2012), Bhatt says, “She is another wonder—totally magnificent. She did not hold my little finger and foray into the industry. She has gone ahead [in films] on her own intuitive understanding. At the age of 23-24, she has achieved so much that it is nothing short of a miracle.”

While he accepts that Bollywood is not a space, which is very generous, especially for people who wish to make a sparkling debut,” Bhatt never had to worry for his children.“How can I be scared of this business? My parents, aunts and uncles have been here [for long]. This is home for us and we’ve seen tragedies and glorious days here.”