In a heartfelt revelation that has sent shockwaves through Bollywood circles, veteran filmmaker Mukesh Bhatt has opened up about the deep emotional pain of being excluded from his niece Alia Bhatt's wedding to Ranbir Kapoor and his ongoing separation from the family that has prevented him from meeting their daughter Raha.
The Unhealed Family Rift
The once-powerful Bhatt brothers, Mahesh and Mukesh, were the formidable force behind Vishesh Films, the production banner that gifted Bollywood numerous hits throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Their collaboration produced iconic films including Aashiqui, Sadak, Murder, and Raaz, establishing their reputation as producers who consistently delivered mass-friendly cinema with memorable music.
However, this successful partnership came to an abrupt end in 2021 when Mahesh Bhatt decided to leave the company. The professional separation apparently triggered a personal fallout between the brothers, creating a chasm that has now extended to the next generation of the family.
The Wedding That Divided
Speaking candidly to Lehren Retro in November 2025, Mukesh Bhatt didn't mince words about his feelings regarding Alia Bhatt's wedding exclusion. "I will be a hypocrite if I say, I didn't feel bad. Of course, I felt bad," the emotional filmmaker confessed.
His affection for Alia and her sister Shaheen remains undiminished by the family conflict. "I love Alia a lot and not just her, even Shaheen. So when she got married, I thought meri bachi ki shadi hai (my daughter is getting married). I was very much wanting to be there," he revealed, highlighting the depth of his emotional connection to his nieces.
Longing to Meet Baby Raha
The family separation has taken an even more poignant turn with the arrival of the next generation. Mukesh Bhatt disclosed that he has yet to meet Alia and Ranbir's daughter, Raha, who turned three this year, despite desperately wanting to see the child.
In one of the most moving parts of the interview, he expressed: "When I got to know that Alia is pregnant and then she had a baby, meri aankhein taras gayi Raha ko dekhne ke liye (My eyes yearn to see Raha). I love kids a lot."
What makes this situation particularly heartbreaking is Mukesh's conscious decision not to reach out, despite his strong desire to meet his grand-niece. He explained his reasoning with remarkable sensitivity: "I didn't even try because I didn't want to put her in a position of discomfort. I didn't want to put her in a position where she had to see how will her father feel if I come and meet her."
Instead of direct communication, the veteran filmmaker chose to bless the new parents from afar. "Maine dil se dua de di (I blessed them from my heart)," he stated, demonstrating his continued affection despite the physical distance.
Behind the Brothers' Fallout
Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt, who directed several successful projects under the Vishesh Films banner, provided additional context about the brothers' strained relationship. He recalled a telling conversation with Mahesh Bhatt that shed light on the underlying tensions.
According to Vikram's account to Siddharth Kannan, Mahesh Bhatt told him: "You get out of the company." When Vikram inquired about the reason, Mahesh reportedly responded: "Saalo tak mere bhai (Mukesh Bhatt) ne mujhe exploit kiya hai. Main nahi chahta ki woh tujhe exploit kare (My brother has exploited me for years. I don't want him to exploit you). You go and do something on your own. I had to do what Boss (Mukesh) said."
This revelation suggests that the professional partnership between the Bhatt brothers had been strained for much longer than publicly known, with Mahesh apparently feeling exploited within their business arrangement.
The emotional interview has sparked conversations throughout the Indian film industry about family dynamics, professional partnerships, and the personal cost of business conflicts. As the Bhatt family saga continues to unfold, fans and industry observers alike hope for reconciliation that might eventually bridge this painful divide.
