Udaipur: On Monday afternoon, the lanes of Udaipur echoed with the footsteps of a cinema legend. Mahesh Bhatt, whose films have touched countless hearts, returned to the city to relive memories from his early days. Reflecting on the evolution of filmmaking, he remarked, “The structure of cinema has changed completely, but the human heart remains the same as it always was.”

Fifty-four years ago, a young Bhatt had worked in this very city as an assistant director under his mentor, filmmaker Raj Khosla. In the same room at Laxmi Vilas Hotel (now The Lalit), he would wake the team in the morning, urging, “Time to shoot.” Today, the walls may have changed, but the memories remain deep and vivid. It was here that Raj Khosla shot ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh’, starring Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna, and Asha Parekh.

Bhatt, along with music director Anu Malik, visited Udaipur for the premiere of their upcoming film ‘Tu Meri Poori Kahani’, set for release on 26 September 2025. During the premiere and evening event, Bhatt not only spoke about the film but also shared his nostalgic connection with the city. He recalled that ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh’ was shot in Chirwa village, marking the beginning of his cinematic journey.

Anu Malik added an emotional layer to the evening, sharing that his bond with Bhatt seemed almost timeless, as if from a previous life. While recording the film’s first song, tears welled up in Bhatt’s eyes, and their embrace underscored that cinema is not just art—it is an experience of the heart.

Bhatt further said, “Smartphones and new technology have changed the way films are made; the style may change, but the heart remains the same. When something comes from the heart, it reaches the heart.” Even today, in Udaipur—the city where his dreams began—new artists are taking their first steps.

During the premiere, lead actress Hiranya Ojha was felicitated. The event at PVR, Celebration Mall, Udaipur saw Bhatt, Malik, and the entire film team in attendance. The film features over 10 songs with voices by Papon, Raghav Chaitanya, Anandi Joshi, Vishal Mishra, and Anmol Malik.

The premiere highlighted Udaipur’s emotional resonance, where Bhatt’s cinematic journey began, and where memories and feelings still run deep. Manoj Geetankar, who hosted the event, emphasized that for emerging artists, the city has become more than just a shooting location—it embodies dreams and the heartbeat of creativity. The engaging session included interactions with Bhatt, Malik, actors, and the team, delving into the film’s narrative as well as its social and scientific perspectives, making the program memorable.

 

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