Veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt recently stepped away from discussions surrounding cinema and filmmaking to engage in a deeply personal conversation about life, truth, relationships, creativity, and self-discovery. Held at RDX Studio in Versova, Mumbai, the event titled ‘In Search of Truth’ saw Bhatt in conversation with author, screenwriter, and director Suhrita Das.
Presented by Moonlight Films & Theatre Studio, the session aimed to explore the human experiences that exist beyond professional achievements and public recognition. Bringing together students, aspiring filmmakers, theatre practitioners, writers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across the city, the event fostered an atmosphere of reflection and meaningful dialogue.
Designed around the theme, “A Conversation That Goes Beyond Films. Into Life,” the evening began with poetry and personal reflections before Suhrita Das guided the audience through various chapters of Mahesh Bhatt’s life using excerpts from his writings, memories, and unpublished autobiographical work. The format offered attendees a rare glimpse into the personal experiences that have shaped one of Indian cinema’s most influential storytellers.
During the discussion, Bhatt revisited his childhood and recalled how cinema first fascinated him at the age of four. He reflected on his lifelong search for meaning and human connection, themes that have frequently found expression in his films and writings.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments came when Bhatt spoke about his early struggles in the film industry and shared a lesson he received from legendary filmmaker Raj Khosla. “Zero is a great figure to begin with.”
The filmmaker explained that beginning with nothing should never be seen as a disadvantage but rather as the starting point of every meaningful journey. Bhatt also reflected on how his outlook on life has evolved over the years. Speaking about his younger self, he admitted that he once wanted to stand apart from everyone else, but experience taught him the value of connection and empathy. “I wanted to stand out when I was young. Today, I want to connect,” he reflected.
The conversation took an emotional turn when Bhatt shared a childhood memory involving his mother. Recalling a moment from his early years, he described placing fireflies in her hair in an effort to make her smile during a difficult period. The story resonated deeply with the audience and offered insight into the emotional foundations of his artistic sensibilities.
Creativity, vulnerability, and resilience emerged as recurring themes throughout the discussion. Bhatt spoke about how some of the most meaningful artistic work is often born from heartbreak, uncertainty, and lived experience. He encouraged young creators to embrace failure rather than fear it, emphasizing that setbacks often provide lessons that success cannot.
The most powerful takeaway of the evening came during his closing reflections on happiness and the tendency to postpone fulfillment until a future milestone is achieved. “We spend our lives waiting. Waiting for success, waiting for certainty, waiting for the next achievement. But life is not somewhere ahead. Life is here, in this breath, in this conversation, in this moment.”
The session concluded with an interactive audience discussion covering topics ranging from filmmaking and creativity to mental health, parenting, personal growth, and relationships. Responding with candour and humility, Bhatt stressed the importance of authenticity, self-awareness, and compassion. Speaking about parenting, he noted that children learn more from observing their parents than from listening to their advice, urging parents to recognize and nurture their children's individual strengths.
Many attendees described the event as a transformative experience, praising the honesty and depth of the conversation. With Suhrita Das steering the discussion through thoughtful questions and sensitive observations, In Search of Truth evolved into much more than a conversation about cinema. It became a reflection on life itself, reminding audiences that meaning is often found not in extraordinary accomplishments, but in everyday moments of awareness, kindness, and human connection.
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