Actor and filmmaker Pooja Bhatt has strongly refuted long-standing claims that her father, veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, converted to Islam to marry actor Soni Razdan. She has termed such assertions “false” and “damaging,” while also clarifying that her father has “never left my mom.”
The clarification came during a recent interview when Pooja was asked about her family’s religious dynamics. Mahesh Bhatt was born into a Gujarati Hindu family. His first marriage was to Kiran Bhatt (née Kiran Rao), with whom he has two daughters — Pooja Bhatt and actor-producer Rahul Bhatt. After his relationship with Kiran ended, he married Soni Razdan, who was raised in a Kashmiri Muslim household .
‘False and damaging’
When asked whether Mahesh Bhatt changed his religion to marry Soni Razdan, Pooja responded: “That is false. That is a false narrative that has been perpetuated for years. It is damaging and it is untrue.”
She added that her father has never converted to Islam and continues to practice his faith as he always has.
The clarification is significant because the Bhatt family has often been the subject of speculation regarding religious identity. Mahesh Bhatt has rarely spoken publicly about his faith, leading to assumptions that he may have converted for his second marriage.
‘He has never left my mom’
Pooja also addressed the nature of her father’s relationships, stating unequivocally that Mahesh Bhatt “has never left my mom.”
She was referring to her mother, Kiran Bhatt. “My parents are not together, but that does not mean he left her. Relationships evolve. People change. But he has always been there for us. He has never abandoned anyone.”
Pooja’s comments offer a rare glimpse into the personal dynamics of one of Bollywood’s most influential families, known for its creative output but often guarded about private matters.
A blended family
The Bhatt household is a unique example of a blended family that has largely stayed united despite separations and remarriages. Pooja has often spoken warmly of her half-sisters, actors Alia Bhatt and Shaheen Bhatt, whom Mahesh had with Soni Razdan.
“Alia and Shaheen are not half-sisters to me. They are my sisters. Period. My mother has also always treated them with love. That is what family means,” Pooja had said in a previous interview.
Alia Bhatt, one of Bollywood’s leading actors today, has also spoken about the family’s equation, stating that she never felt any distinction between Pooja, Rahul, and herself.
Mahesh Bhatt’s own words
Mahesh Bhatt, in a 2013 interview, had addressed the question of religious identity. “I am not a religious man. I don’t follow any organised religion. But I was born a Hindu and I remain a Hindu. My children — all of them — have been raised to respect all faiths.”
He had also clarified that Soni Razdan, despite being raised in a Muslim household, does not practice Islam. “Soni is not a practising Muslim. She is spiritual in her own way. Religion has never been a dividing factor in our home.”
Social media reaction
Pooja’s statement has gone viral on social media, with many praising her for setting the record straight.
One user wrote: “Finally someone clarified this. People have been speculating for years. Thank you Pooja for speaking up.”
Another commented: “The Bhatt family has always been ahead of its time when it comes to family dynamics. They don’t need to justify anything, but it’s good to have clarity.”
The larger conversation
Pooja’s remarks also touch upon a larger conversation about how society views inter-faith marriages and blended families in India. While urban India has become more accepting, such relationships still attract speculation and, at times, prejudice.
By speaking candidly, Pooja Bhatt has not only defended her family’s legacy but also subtly challenged the notion that love and faith cannot coexist without one side “converting” or “leaving” behind their past.
