Filmmaker-producer Mahesh Bhatt, well-known for nurturing fresh talent in Hindi cinema, recently shared insights on how he mentored Suhrita Das, the debutant director of his upcoming production ‘Tu Meri Poori Kahani’.
Journey of Suhrita Das
In a conversation in Andheri West, Mahesh Bhatt revealed the inspirational journey of Suhrita. He recounted their first meeting during the Durga Puja festival 11 years ago in Kolkata. She explained how the festival’s theme honored women and described her own life as a hairdresser. Despite being settled with a rich husband and two children, she felt an inner restlessness fueled by her passion for writing. “She believes that a woman should do work irrespective of being a housewife,” Bhatt noted. Suhrita shared her unique approach, saying, “I cut hair with the left hand and write with the right hand,” which piqued Bhatt’s interest.
After he requested writing samples, Bhatt was impressed by the raw energy and recklessness of her writing.
Collaborative Projects
While working on the film ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’, Bhatt sought a compelling scene for the climax. He recalled, “I wanted a scene where Vidya Balan’s character stands up to her husband, reflecting her truth.” He recognized that Suhrita’s life experiences provided an authentic foundation for storytelling, stating, “She is capable of writing a story sourced from her living wounds, unlike most who rely on imagination.”
Their collaboration also extended to television, where they created the series ‘Naamkaran’. Suhrita candidly admitted, “I come from a literary background. I don’t know much about cinematic craft.” Bhatt recalled her struggles, saying, “She was perplexed because in cinema we write in images and sound. It’s quite different from the literary world.”
He encouraged her, emphasizing that learning comes through experience: “You learn swimming by swimming, you learn writing by writing.”
Upcoming Release
‘Tu Meri Poori Kahani’, directed by Suhrita Das, is set to hit theatres on September 26, 2025.