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Dear Pooja

I look at this picture and my mind rewinds to year 1997 in Seychelles. The door of your hotel room was ajar and I walked inside to find you searching for a clean shirt bending over multiple suitcases. You have not found time to organize your laundry and are wondering what to wear when the reception calls to say that everyone is waiting for you. You shut the suitcases and charge towards the elevator.

An hour later, we are parked by the poolside and you tell me your story of why you turned a producer. You said you had been flirting with the idea for a while but did not muster courage to commit and then dad/ Mahesh Bhatt explained that the only way to make films you believe in, is by turning filmmaker yourself. Soon you found a script you believed in and you announced Pooja Bhatt Productions.

You said the first lesson you learnt as a producer is to only green light the best script, the second, is to remain convinced of your choice till the end. You chose Tamanna as your debut production knowing it will not be a commercial grosser but you wantedbegin small and artistic and the family supported your decision.

To shoot at Seychelles was your chachu Mukesh Bhatt’s idea, carting three units Mahesh Bhatt’s Papa Kahte Hain, Vikram Bhatt’s Fareb and your Tamanna together at the island was a business proposal and also bonding time for everyone together post shooting.

It was your debut film but you were so peaceful, less anxious, more contained, it was probably the effect of the island. I noticed that now you enjoyed your own company and mentioned it to your dad, Mahesh Bhatt at dinner. He smiled, said, now you are cooked with pain. Perhaps you are, you have keen observations on life now, of relationships, you desire to pause and introspect, promise to return to Seychelles from time to time because life in Bombay is killing the soul.That was in 1997 I’m curious to ask, when was it last that you returned to Seychelles Pooja Bhatt?#PoojaBhatt # MaheshBhatt #MukeshBhatt #VikramBhatt