Twenty-six years ago, ‘Sangharsh’ was released on the big screen—a film that dared to step away from formula, blending grit, imagination, and emotion into a story that still lingers in the minds of those who witnessed it. While it is remembered for its chilling antagonist, its unconventional hero, and its fearless heroine, the Akshay Kumar and Preity Zinta starrer also quietly marked the debut of a child who would go on to redefine stardom—Alia Bhatt. In this candid conversation with ETimes, Mahesh Bhatt reflects on the memories, discoveries, and lasting impact of the film that remains a cult classic.Bhatt Saab, you wrote and produced ‘Sangharsh,’ the film that introduced Alia?Twenty-six years ago, ‘Sangharsh’ was born—a film stitched together with courage, imagination, and performances that still echo in the hearts of people. Time has only deepened the fragrance of those memories. It was my brilliant protégé, Tanuja Chandra, who carried this vision to life. A director of fierce talent, relentless spirit, and endless reinvention, she not only carved a powerful narrative but also made a discovery none of us could have dreamt of.Tell me how Alia came into the pictureFor a very special portion of the film, we needed a little girl to play the childhood of Preity Zinta. What caught Tanuja’s eye was a dimple—yes, that very dimple Preity herself carries. And so, a little child named Alia Bhatt walked into our world. Nobody then knew that she would go on to be a star who would enchant millions around the globe.Was Alia a natural even back then?Those were not easy scenes for a child—raw, dramatic, and full of intensity. Yet little Alia stood there with a pagdi tied on her head, listening attentively, not as a child being coaxed but as a professional being guided. She absorbed everything Tanuja told her, nodded, and delivered a performance as naturally as birds take to the sky. That was her first step—not in ‘Student of the Year,’ but right there, in ‘Sangharsh.’Sangharsh also showcased Akshay Kumar in a very different light, didn’t it?The film gave us an unforgettable Akshay Kumar—far from the “muscle man” label of the times, he revealed a tender, intellectual, moving side that audiences had not seen before. His performance, full of depth, still lingers as one of his most underrated gems.And then came Ashutosh Rana, in a role etched forever in the annals of Indian cinema—the chilling Lajja Shankar Pandey. I still remember the day in that stable in Goregaon, the smell of straw and buffaloes heavy in the air, when he turned, eyes ablaze, and let out that blood-curdling cry. A moment so terrifying, so unforgettable, that even today, strangers across airports and security lines recall it with awe.Why do you think such a powerful film failed at the box office?At its heart, ‘Sangharsh’ was ahead of its time. It placed a woman at the center of strength and resilience, confronting terrors that even men might have faltered before. Preity Zinta, luminous and fearless, embodied that spirit beautifully. So when I look back, I see ‘Sangharsh’ not just as a film but as a bouquet of memories—the discovery of Alia, the triumph of Akshay, the ferocity of Ashutosh, the brilliance of Preity, and above all, the vision of Tanuja Chandra. Twenty-six years later, the perfume of those memories still lingers—sweet and sharp—reminding us that cinema, at its best, is timeless.
