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Mahesh Bhatt

Mahesh Bhatt

Director, writer, producer and actor · Born September 20, 1948 (78) · Bombay, India

Mahesh Bhatt (born 20 September 1948) is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter known for his works in Hindi cinema. A stand-out film from his earlier period is Saaransh (1984), screened at the 14th Moscow International Film Festival. It became India's official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for that year.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 20, 1948 (78)
From
Bombay, India
Works as
Director, writer, producer and actor
Titles
16 on MovieCove · 101 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 49% in 30 days

What are Mahesh Bhatt's films like?

Across their 13 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 62nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Horror movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
33%
Bonds
26%
Survival
17%
Self
17%
Power
4%
Society
4%
Romantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 1 · Serious 5 · Dark 7

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 5 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 1 · Charged 5 · Intense 7

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 5 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 3

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 9 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 2 · Engaged 11 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 13 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
11
Melancholic
7
Romantic
5
Dread
4
Hopeful
2
Other
7

How their films linger

Hopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Mahesh Bhatt's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 7 of their 16 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Netflix (3).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Mahesh Bhatt's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

101 credits, 16 with a MovieCove page; 15 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Natural State (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Executive Producer

  • Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past(2026)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Bloody Ishq (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Producer · Writer

  • 1920: Horrors of the Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Producer · Writer

  • Ab Dilli Dur Nahin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Devesh Kapoor

  • Love-All(2023)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Judaa Hoke Bhi(2022)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Ranjish Hi Sahi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 8 episodes · Creator · Producer

  • Sadak 2(2020)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Dil Jaise Dhadke... Dhadakne Do (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show Creator

  • Yours Truly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • The Dark Side of Life: Mumbai City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Jalebi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Co-Producer

  • Arth: The Destination (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Original Concept

  • Dushman: A story of the enemy within(2017)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Naamkarann (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Badman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • Love Games (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Producer

  • Hamari Adhuri Kahani(2015)

    Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Mr. X(2015)

    Playback Singer

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Khamoshiyan(2015)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Aashiqui 2(2013)

    Producer · as Rahul's Father

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Murder 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Producer · Screenplay · Writer

  • Raaz 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Producer

  • Jism 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Screenplay · Story

  • Jannat 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Executive Producer

  • Blood Money(2012)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Murder 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Producer · Screenplay · Story

  • C Kkompany(2008)

    as Special Appearance

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Jannat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Producer

  • Awarapan(2007)

    Producer · Story

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Woh Lamhe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Story

  • Gangster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Producer · Story

  • Ho Sakta Hai! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Narrator

  • Paramasivan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Original Story

  • Kalyug (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Producer

  • Nazar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Writer

  • Zeher (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Screenplay

  • Rog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Writer

  • Paap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Writer

  • Inteha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Writer

  • Footpath (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Producer · Screenplay

  • Saaya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Producer

  • Jism (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Screenplay · Story

  • Raaz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Executive Producer · Screenplay · Story

  • Kasoor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Producer · Writer

  • Kartoos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Director

  • Sangharsh(1999)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Zakhm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Director · Screenplay · Story

  • Angaaray (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Director

  • Duplicate(1998)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Tamanna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Director

  • Gudgudee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Executive Producer

  • Kabhie Kabhie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show Creator

  • Dastak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Director

  • Aur Ek Prem Kahani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Producer

  • Chaahat(1996)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Sardari Begum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Producer

  • Papa Kahte Hain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Director · Producer

  • Milan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director

  • Criminal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director · Adaptation

  • Naajayaz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director

  • The Gentleman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Director · Adaptation

  • Naaraaz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Director

  • Gangmaster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Story

  • Tadipaar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Director

  • Gunaah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Director

  • Gumrah(1993)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Director

  • Sir (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Director

  • Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Director

  • Marupadiyum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Story

  • Junoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Director

  • Saatwan Aasman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Director

  • Sadak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Director

  • Saathi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Director

  • Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Director

  • Deshwasi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Collector

  • Haque (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Screenplay · as Gurudev

  • Lahu Luhan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • Swayam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Director

  • Aashiqui (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director

  • Jurm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director

  • Awaargi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director

  • Daddy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director

  • Kabzaa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • Aaj (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • Thikana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • Kaash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director · Writer

  • Naam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Director

  • Janam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director · Writer

  • Saaransh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director · Dialogue · Screenplay · Story

  • Blind Alley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Arth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Lahu Ke Do Rang (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Director

  • Naya Daur (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • Toote Khilone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Vishwasghaat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Director

  • Manzilein Aur Bhi Hain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director

  • Madam Sapna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Producer

  • Naam: To Live is War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Presenter

Career shape

A full career of 96 titles, 94 of them dated from 1974 to 2026.

Biggest box office

Hamari Adhuri Kahani (2015)

$5.1M worldwide

Highest rated

Aashiqui 2 (2013)

Midcredits 85th

Most popular right now

Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past (2026)

Film career

  • 2013Screen debut· Aashiqui 2

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting12 of 96: 10 only acting, 2 with another roleDirecting44 of 96: 34 only directing, 10 with another roleWriting32 of 96: 13 only writing, 19 with another roleProducing26 of 96: 12 only producing, 14 with another roleOther crew5 of 96: 4 only other crew, 1 with another role

96 titles, 23 with more than one role — directing and writing overlap on 8 of them.

By decade

1970s5 · 1 acting · 4 crew1980s10 · 1 acting · 9 crew1990s37 · 3 acting · 35 crew2000s18 · 2 acting · 16 crew2010s16 · 4 acting · 13 crew2020s8 · 1 acting · 7 crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it.

How do Mahesh Bhatt's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 49th percentile, the median of all 16; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 50th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

81stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 16 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up3
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th5
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

6 of their 16 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Universally Panned1
  • Loved with Detractors1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser3
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · writer

Judaa Hoke Bhi (2022)

94th percentile spread · 19% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · producer

Love-All (2023)

Midcredits 92nd · 84% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 52/100 and the pacing 39/100 in their films, across 11 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Mahesh Bhatt work with?

People who share at least 2 of Mahesh Bhatt's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jeet Gannguli shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers