Vikram Bhatt Reflects On Early Struggles, Work With Aamir Khan And Relationship With Sushmita Sen

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has spoken candidly about a financially difficult phase of his early career, revealing that he was struggling with severe monetary constraints even while working on major film projects and dating former Miss Universe and actor Sushmita Sen. In a recent interview, Bhatt reflected on the mid-1990s period when he was working as an assistant to filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and gradually establishing himself in the Hindi film industry.

He said it was during this time that he met Sushmita Sen on the sets of Dastak (1996), her debut film, and their relationship developed alongside his growing but unstable career in cinema. Bhatt described the contrast between his professional surroundings and personal financial situation, stating that despite being part of high-profile film circles and working on significant projects, he often struggled to meet basic daily needs.

He remarked that he was “broke” during that phase and recalled not even having enough money for small personal expenses, underscoring the financial insecurity he experienced in the industry’s early years. In a widely discussed recollection, he said, “I was a struggling director. I was directing Aamir Khan and dating Miss Universe so to say, but I had no money,” adding that he felt like he was living a “fakir-like” existence despite being surrounded by success and fame.

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The comments highlight the disparity he perceived between outward professional visibility and his private financial reality during that period. Bhatt and Sushmita Sen eventually parted ways after a few years. He later entered a relationship with actor Ameesha Patel, with whom he collaborated on Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage. Reflecting on his personal journey, Bhatt noted that while his relationships did not last, his films have continued to find an audience over time.

The interview also comes amid recent legal challenges faced by Bhatt and his wife, art curator Shwetambari Soni, in connection with allegations of cheating and criminal breach of trust related to a film project. While the case is ongoing in court, Bhatt has denied wrongdoing and expressed confidence that the judicial process will establish the truth. On the professional front, Bhatt is preparing for the release of his upcoming horror film Haunted 3D: Echoes of the Past, also known as Haunted 2, starring Mimoh Chakraborty and Chetna Pande, which is scheduled to release in theatres on June 12.

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