Veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has sparked headlines with his recent remarks about wife Soni Razdan’s acting talent. In a candid interview, Bhatt praised Razdan’s craft, even going so far as to call her a better actor than their daughter Alia Bhatt, one of Bollywood’s biggest stars.
Mahesh Bhatt on Soni Razdan’s Acting Brilliance
Speaking to The Indian Express, Mahesh Bhatt reflected on Razdan’s earlier statement about often being recognized only as “Alia Bhatt’s mother” or “Mahesh Bhatt’s wife.” Addressing her struggle, he admitted that he finds Razdan’s acting abilities far superior to Alia’s.
He explained,
“Her style of expression, body language, and nuances are not what we call mainstream India. But her idiom is so evolved. She was perfectly cast in Songs of Paradise because of her deep empathy for Kashmir, given her roots. You must also watch her performance in the BBC series Neighbours and Sanjoy Nag’s Yours Truly (2018), where she was brilliant.”
The filmmaker recalled a time when Alia was delivering back-to-back hits like Udta Punjab. He revealed telling his daughter:
“Before you develop the pride that there is no better actor than you, watch your mother’s films.”
Praising Soni Razdan’s screen presence, he added,
“She’s like that banyan tree whose stillness automatically translates on screen. It’s a kind of magic I haven’t been able to get over.”
Soni Razdan on Her Identity Struggles
Earlier, in a conversation with News18, Soni Razdan admitted that despite her body of work in acclaimed films, she often faces an “identity crisis.” She said,
“All my life, even now, I’m somebody else’s somebody. My struggle is still to be known for who I am.”
However, Razdan also shared that she has made peace with it and now laughs about the situation. She expressed happiness for her loved ones who are thriving, calling it the journey she was destined for.
A Remark That Sparked Conversations
Mahesh Bhatt’s statement comparing Soni Razdan and Alia Bhatt has set social media abuzz, with fans revisiting Razdan’s underrated performances. Many believe this acknowledgment highlights the often-overlooked brilliance of veteran actresses in Indian cinema.