Pooja Bhatt DEFENDS Mahesh Bhatt as she speaks about his affairs with Soni Razdan & Parveen Babi: ‘He’s HUMAN’

Pooja Bhatt has never shied away from addressing the complexities of her personal life. Over the years, the actor and filmmaker has spoken openly about her family’s journey, often challenging conventional ideas about marriage, relationships and parenthood. In a recent conversation with veteran journalist Vickey Lalwani, Pooja once again reflected on the circumstances that shaped her childhood and why she continues to hold immense respect for her father, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, despite the unconventional path his life took.

Born to Mahesh Bhatt and Kiran Bhatt, Pooja spent her early years growing up with her younger brother Rahul Bhatt. As life unfolded, Mahesh’s personal journey took a different direction and he eventually built a life with actor Soni Razdan. Together, Soni and Mahesh became parents to Shaheen Bhatt and Alia Bhatt, creating a blended family that has often been discussed in the public eye.

During the interview, Pooja spoke about the difficult decisions her father made and why she believes honesty is far more valuable than maintaining an illusion of a perfect family. According to her, relationships evolve and people change, and she would rather have witnessed truth than deception.

Sharing her perspective, Pooja said, “Would I rather have a father who acknowledges he’s human, that there’s been a shift in his affection, who moves out of the house to stand by the woman he’s met? Or would I prefer a father who stays under the same roof as my mother for society’s sake, has 200 affairs outside, but there’s an air of normalcy and conspiracy of silence maintained by everybody?”

Would I rather have a father who acknowledges he’s human, that there’s been a shift in his affection, who moves out of the house to stand by the woman he’s met? Or would I prefer a father who stays under the same roof as my mother for society’s sake, has 200 affairs outside, but there’s an air of normalcy and conspiracy of silence maintained by everybody?

- Pooja Bhatt

The actor explained that while such situations are painful, pretending everything is fine can often be even more damaging. For her, authenticity carried greater value than preserving appearances merely to satisfy social expectations. She indicated that people are often judged for leaving relationships, while dishonesty that remains hidden behind closed doors is frequently ignored.

The discussion also touched upon a significant chapter in Mahesh Bhatt’s life involving legendary actor Parveen Babi. During the late 1970s, Mahesh and Parveen’s relationship attracted considerable attention. Looking back at that period, Pooja suggested that there was no atmosphere of secrecy within her household regarding what was happening.

Recalling the situation, she said, “Because they are mard, so they can do it. That never happened at my home. They both thought the relationship was over.”

Pooja’s remarks reflected her belief that both her parents had reached a point where they understood their marriage was no longer functioning in the way it once had. Rather than portraying one person as the villain and the other as the victim, she described the situation as something both adults had recognised and confronted in their own way.

She further remembered a later period when her parents attempted to reconnect after Mahesh’s relationship with Parveen Babi came to a difficult and tragic end. Parveen’s struggles with mental health have been widely documented over the years, and her life story remains one of the most discussed chapters in Hindi cinema history.

According to Pooja, there was a genuine effort made to see whether the marriage between her parents could be rebuilt. However, despite those attempts, both eventually realised that the relationship had reached a point where it could not be revived. Rather than forcing a reconciliation that neither truly believed in, they accepted the reality of the situation.

What stands out in Pooja’s reflections is her refusal to view her family history through a simplistic lens. Instead of focusing solely on heartbreak or betrayal, she has often highlighted the importance of accountability and truth. Her comments suggest that while the circumstances may have been unconventional, she values the fact that the people involved did not continue living behind a facade.

Over the years, Pooja has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to discuss subjects that many public figures prefer to avoid. Whether speaking about family dynamics, personal struggles or societal expectations, she has consistently chosen candour over carefully crafted narratives.

Her latest remarks offer another glimpse into that mindset, revealing why she continues to respect her father’s choices despite the challenges they brought. For Pooja, the defining factor was not whether mistakes were made, but whether those involved had the courage to confront the truth rather than hide behind appearances.