‘I was hesitant to cast Soha’

The energy that Mahesh Bhatt radiates every time his film is about to release could make anyone believe that he is an enthusiastic first-time director. The animated and passionate director, producer and screenwriter, who was in the city to promote his film, gets candid on critics, awards and on working with Soha Ali Khan.

Initially “hesitant” to cast Soha Ali Khan in Tum Mile, Mahesh Bhatt is now all praise for the actress. “Director Kunal Deshmukh believed that Soha fit the bill, but I thought otherwise. But even filmmakers like me who claim we identify talent when we see it, are wrong sometimes. Soha is spectacular,” he says.

The director, who talks passionately about his every venture, says he is happy with his body of work. However, passion doesn’t always translate into box office success. And the director has been subject to endless criticism. “I embrace criticism, but not mindless slander. Criticism is a responsibility. A surgeon hurts you to heal you. But the truth is that the audience is the ultimate judge,” says Bhatt, who is not too big on the bouquets that come with the brickbats.

“Award ceremonies are nothing but a marketing event. They are rigged and suit their own purpose. They are more of TV events and are all about selling air time at the highest rate and grabbing the most eye-balls,” he says.

The opinionated director also has a bone to pick with the Bollywood scenario. “In spite of the technical advancements, the content of our movies has gone from bad to worse. The film must be fresh and fast-paced. We live in the age of Twitter and everything must be short and concise,” he says.

Talking about his upcoming projects, the filmmaker says, “I may be 60, but I’m ready to run a marathon. I’m working on an untitled film that will be directed by Mohit Suri, that will explore racism in Australia. It’s a love story and Emraan plays the lead.”\