The past weekend was marked by the celebration of Pooja Bhatt’s birthday, an event that brought a flurry of warm wishes filling her social media feeds. Yet amid the stream of greetings, one message emerged with profound distinctiveness—it was from her father, the esteemed filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt.
Bollywood’s darling of the 90s, Pooja Bhatt, whose debut in the industry was signified by her compelling performance in the romantic drama ‘Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin’ opposite Aamir Khan, reached another milestone as she celebrated her birthday embraced by fanfare and affection. The day was punctuated by one particular wish that resonated more deeply than the rest, a tender, written embrace from her father.
Pooja Bhatt, sharing candid snapshots featuring herself with Mahesh Bhatt on her Instagram, gave her followers a glimpse into the intimate bond she shares with her father. The caption far eclipsed a routine acknowledgement, as it unfurled the heartfelt note she received from him—words composed with the warmth and wisdom becoming of a parent and a philosopher.
Within the message, Mahesh Bhatt recounted the vivid memory of Pooja’s birth, narrating the journey to the Ganatra Maternity Hospital where he first laid eyes upon his daughter. The image of a newborn Pooja, her cheeks ruddy with newborn protest, evoked for him the timeless cycle of life, as he watched her resistant to the stark shift from the tranquil to the material world.
Mahesh Bhatt’s letter to Pooja navigated through the tapestry of years gone by, observing how the passage of time and the experiences it bears have sculpted the woman she had become. Like an everflowing river, he remarks upon the ceaseless progression of existence that shapes us.
In a touching tribute to the cyclical nature of life and heritage, Mahesh Bhatt remarked on Pooja’s likeness to their beloved Raha, who encapsulates both innocence and a fervent zest for life—all virtues he observes within Pooja. He closed his message with a birthday benediction and encouraged Pooja to persist in her quest for truth, a pursuit he deemed the crux of living. It is in the seeking, he imparts, that one finds the vitality of life, for comprehension’s finality is life’s cessation.
Pooja Bhatt’s journey hasn’t been devoid of the brambles that often beset public figures. She navigated through storms of controversy, one instance being the stir caused by a magazine cover displaying a kiss between her and her father. Speculations and rumours also shrouded her, including whispers positing her as the biological mother of her sister, Alia Bhatt.
Yet through these seasons of disquiet, Pooja has risen, dusted herself off, and continued onward with the grace of one familiar with the public gaze. As an actress, director, and filmmaker, she has built a diverse portfolio that holds testament to her versatility and resilience.
On her special day, the broader public spectated, as the doyenne of a cinematic dynasty received an epistle that cut through the ephemeral and reached towards the eternal—the words of a father to his daughter, reflecting on the shared lineage and celebrating the individual’s path. Even as the wish stood singularly dazzling amongst other felicitations, it holds universal echoes that resonate in the hearts of those who relish the depths of familial bonds.
