Rahul Bhatt Opens Up About A Troubled Childhood And A Fractured Equation With Filmmaker Father Mahesh Bhatt

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt's son Rahul says his relationship with his father is fractured due to a lack of guidance during his growing years. Rahul spoke about his childhood in a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan on his YouTube channel.

Childhood And Family Life

Rahul is the son of Mahesh and his first wife, Kiran. Actor and producer Pooja Bhatt is his sister. Rahul recalled that his parents separated when he was young, and his father later married Soni Razdan, with whom he has two daughters, Alia Bhatt and Shaheen Bhatt. Rahul said he felt neglected by his father for most of his childhood and had to act as his own father. He described his home environment back then as unhappy, negative, and dysfunctional. Rahul also shared that his relationship with his stepmother Soni feels like a formality.

Youth And Violence

Rahul admitted that his formative years involved self-destructive behavior because he lacked a strong male figure to guide him. He often used violence to settle scores as a child because he felt like the head of the household who had to protect his sister Pooja, who was a massive star at the time. When random people used bad language or made fun of Pooja, his response was exaggerated and he would hit them. This habit led him to visit many police stations, though he clarified he was never there for drugs or other embarrassing matters. He noted that he is lucky nothing worse happened during his juvenile years.

Current Equation And Financial Support

Despite the troubled past, Rahul expressed love and respect for his father. He mentioned that they have always faced a communication problem. Mahesh left home when Rahul was around three years old, a grievance the filmmaker himself previously acknowledged in an interview with Hindustan Times by admitting he abandoned the family for another woman. Rahul stated that Mahesh continues to pay for their household expenses during financial crises, allowing him to lead a luxurious life, even though Rahul also earns a comfortable living for himself.

Context

Family dynamics in the film industry often receive public attention due to the high profile of celebrity relatives. Relationships shaped by parental separation and new marriages can involve complex emotional challenges for children growing up in the spotlight.