Mumbai: Veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt confirmed that he has retired from film direction, saying he no longer feels connected to the way movies are made these days.

Reflecting on modern cinema, Bhatt remarked that much of today’s content feels ‘pre-decided,’ leaving little room for the spontaneity and creative freedom that once defined filmmaking.

In a conversation with Hindustan Times, he said, “No, because it is so gratifying to talk about movies so passionately.”

Asked about the reason behind his retirement, he said, “Where there is life, there is vitality.”

“There is caution where things are dictated to you. And then, when you are to make content according to certain designs which have been pre-decided, then what is the role of an artiste?”

He doesn’t, however, feel that Hindi cinema has fallen into a hopeless lull.

“One of the finest things I’ve seen recently is Main Vaapas Aaunga by Imtiaz Ali. I wrote about it. I feel that this is a moment of rebellion. When you put your heart into it and listen to the heartbeat of the times, you see a longing, a thirst in people for something sensitive and painful that connects to their lives. No matter how dark the night is, there will be renegades, there will be rebels who will come and rewrite the narrative, Bhatt opined.

“I think that this storytelling is the lifeblood of the human race, and you will have storytellers who will dare to break away from the conformity which is imposed on you and the massification which is taking place. All the algorithms that are pushing you to the platforms that want only numbers are compelling you to cut yourself and fit into what the template is. But there will always be somebody outside, an audacious person who will become the new Pied Piper.”

Bhatt began his journey as a director with ‘Manzilein Aur Bhi Hain’ in 1974.

His early years in filmmaking were marked by a string of commercial setbacks, but his fortunes changed with ‘Arth’ (1982), a critically acclaimed relationship drama that remains one of the defining films of Indian cinema.

He followed it up with ‘Saaransh’ (1984), which marked Anupam Kher’s breakthrough performance as an elderly man grieving the loss of his son.

Over the years, Bhatt built an impressive body of work with films such as ‘Sadak’ (1991), Sir (1993), ‘Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke’ (as writer), ‘Criminal’ (1995), ‘Dastak’ (1996), ‘Tamanna’ (1997) and ‘Duplicate’ (1998).

Although he had stepped away from directing after ‘Kartoos’ (1999), Bhatt briefly returned to helm ‘Sadak 2’ in 2020.

With more than 50 directorial credits to his name, his contribution to Indian cinema continues to leave a lasting legacy, with many of his films still regarded as modern classics.