From the infamous kiss controversy to being tagged as Jawaharlal Nehru-Indira Gandhi, a lookback at Mahesh Bhatt & daughter Pooja Bhatt’s relationship!

Not many real-life bonds from the film industry are shown as it is in the public eye. But if there’s one relationship that has gone through several ups and downs publicly and still managed to stay as honest as possible then it has to be that of ace filmmaker-producer Mahesh Bhatt with his actress-daughter Pooja Bhatt. Pooja is Mahesh’s daughter from his first marriage with Kiran Bhatt.

The infamous kiss controversy

Mahesh launched Pooja in showbiz in 1991 with Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi. Back then, the filmmaker made headlines for several activities but what took everyone’s attention the most was his controversial photoshoot with Pooja for a magazine. The duo shared a lip-lock for the cover of a magazine in the 80s which scandalized many. In the photo, Pooja was seen sitting on Mahesh’s lap. It created quite a furor. What more? Soon after the shoot went viral for all the wrong reasons, Mahesh expressed his desire to marry Pooja.

To cover up the controversy created by the magazine cover, Mahesh held a press conference back then. But it caused more damage after he said, “If Pooja had not been my daughter, I would have married her.” After this incident, people started commenting on their relationship, calling it unusual. Every now and then, the duo kept talking about each other in interviews and press conferences – revealing how important they are to one another.

Recently, Mahesh made it to the headlines again when he said that Pooja, who is currently in news for being in Salman Khan’s Bigg Boss OTT 2 house, and him are like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. “People around us used to say that this is a pair of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi,” he said.

He also said he has spent the maximum time with Pooja among all his children. For the unversed, Mahesh has four kids – Pooja-Rahul Bhatt from his first marriage with Kiran Bhatt and Alia Bhatt-Shaheen Bhatt from his second marriage with Soni Razdan.

All’s well between Mahesh Bhatt-Pooja Bhatt

Recently, reports also suggested that all’s not well between the father-daughter duo. It was after Mahesh ignored a question on Pooja’s performance in Bigg Boss OTT 2. After the screening of Alia’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, paps were seen asking the filmmaker, “Pooja accha khel rahi hai?” Mahesh asked, “Kaun?”. The pap said, “Pooja Bhatt.” Mahesh then replied, “Main abhi Alia Bhatt ka fan hu (I am a fan of Alia Bhatt right now).”

However, the air was soon cleared as Mahesh entered the BB OTT house to meet Pooja to lend his support. Well, all’s well that ends well!

Also Read: Bigg Boss OTT 2: Pooja Bhatt gets emotional as Mahesh Bhatt visits her- WATCH