Arth to Saaransh, Mahesh Bhatt's 7 best directorial | Birthday Special

Arth (1982): Based on his extramarital affair, Bhatt's iconic Bollywood film marked his huge breakthrough as a writer and director following several failed attempts. In a drama about an affair shattering a marriage, Shabana Azmi, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, and Smita Patil portrayed the key roles.

Saaransh (1984): India's official entry for the 1985 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, this film told the moving narrative of an elderly couple coming to terms with the death of their only son and garnered positive reviews. Anupam Kher gave himself a total makeover for the iconic part, and he was duly awarded the Best Actor Filmfare Award. For his intensely personal drama, writer-director Bhatt would receive a Filmfare Award for Best Story.

Naam (1986): Although this movie is most known for its hit song Chithi Aayi Hai, it is much more than that. This gripping drama about two brothers who choose different paths and how one of them travels abroad in search of a better life but meets with tragedy was directed by Bhatt.

Daddy (1989): Bhatt directed this low-budget movie with a large, enormous pounding heart once more. Alongside Kher in this remarkable drama about a little girl who helps her father overcome his alcoholism, his daughter Pooja Bhatt made her acting debut. The distinctive movie would take home several accolades, including several acting prizes for Kher, the principal actor.

Aashiqui (1990): This legendary romance drama marked the cinematic debuts of Rahul Roy and Anu Aggarwal and yielded one of the all-time best-selling soundtracks. The passionate love story, directed by Bhatt, struck a deep chord with viewers.

Sadak (1991): Pooja Bhatt and Sanjay Dutt star in Bhatt's gripping romantic thriller. There were many moving moments in the tale of a taxi driver who tries to save a young woman who has been sold into prostitution, including one of the most iconic villains ever to appear on screen. Similar to other of his movies, the box office hit included a piece of excellent music.

Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993) was directed by Bhatt and won numerous awards. It was greatly influenced by the iconic Hollywood picture Houseboat (1958). The movie, which starred Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla, tells the story of a guy who is raising his deceased sister's naughty children and how a fleeing woman has a positive influence on them. The endearing movie included lovely music and a lovely love tale at its centre.