Pooja Bhatt recalls Mahesh's decision to choose Islam before marrying Soni Razdan

Actor Pooja Bhatt has spoken about Mahesh Bhatt converting to Islam before marrying Soni Razdan and explained why he never divorced her mother, Kiran Bhatt.

In Short

• Pooja said she respects her father's choice to leave the marriage honestly
• She rejected keeping up appearances while hiding infidelity for society's sake
• During Love Affair, she told Soni no solid relationship could be broken

Actor-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt has opened up about filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt converting to Islam before marrying actor Soni Razdan in 1986, saying her father “would never part ways” with her mother, Kiran Bhatt.

In a recent interview with Vickey Lalwani, Pooja reflected on her parents’ unconventional relationship and said Mahesh chose to convert because he did not want to divorce Kiran.

Speaking about the family dynamic, Pooja said that despite starting a new family with Soni Razdan, Mahesh Bhatt never severed ties with her mother. “He'd never part ways with my mother,” she said, adding that one thing she has always known about her father is that “once he holds your hands, whoever you are, he doesn’t let go”.

Why did Mahesh Bhatt convert to Islam?

During the interview, Pooja recalled that Mahesh Bhatt converted to Islam before marrying Soni Razdan because he did not want to formally end his marriage with Kiran Bhatt.

Pooja described her father as someone who remains loyal to the people in his life, whether family members, colleagues or actors he has mentored. “He’s there. He’s reliable,” she said.

The actor also addressed her father’s decision to move on from the marriage while still maintaining respect and emotional support for her mother.

What did Pooja Bhatt say about her parents’ relationship?

Pooja said she respected Mahesh Bhatt’s honesty in acknowledging that his feelings had changed instead of maintaining appearances for society.

“Would I rather have a father who acknowledges he’s human... or would I prefer a father who stays under the same roof for society’s sake?” she asked during the conversation.

She added that although the “nature of love” between her parents had changed over the years, they still remained emotionally connected and continued to support each other through difficult times.

What is Pooja Bhatt’s relationship with Soni Razdan and Alia Bhatt like?

Pooja also spoke about growing closer to Soni Razdan over the years. She recalled having a “heart-to-heart” conversation with Soni during the making of Love Affair, a film that was supposed to be directed by Soni but was never released.

According to Pooja, she told Soni that "you couldn't have broken up a relationship that was together. There's no space for anybody in a relationship that's solid. Something was lacking, so somebody else could come and find that space."

“The nature of love has changed. But they're one unit. When people ask me, ‘What about love? So I say if love can be like that, when two people can be there for each other morally through thick and thin Even if the world is on one side and you're wrong, you can still stand by my side nonetheless,” she added.

Pooja said she now shares a warm relationship with Soni and considers Alia Bhatt and Shaheen Bhatt an important part of her extended family. She added that despite their busy schedules, the family still comes together during holidays and special occasions.

- Ends