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She Gave Us More Than Roles—She Gave Us Ourselves: Mahesh Bhatt pens heartfelt tribute to Rohini Hattangadi on her 70th birthday

She Gave Us More Than Roles—She Gave Us Ourselves: Mahesh Bhatt pens heartfelt tribute to Rohini Hattangadi on her 70th birthday

Subhash K Jha / etimes.in / Updated: Apr 13, 2025, 20:09 IST

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Rohini Hattangadi turns 70, and Mahesh Bhatt marks the milestone with a heartfelt tribute, recalling her unforgettable roles in Arth, Saaransh, Swayam, and Thikana. Celebrating her quiet power and emotional depth, Bhatt calls her a national treasure who gave Indian cinema more than performances—she gave it truth, grace, and a reflection of ourselves.

She Gave Us More Than Roles—She Gave Us Ourselves: Mahesh Bhatt pens heartfelt tribute to Rohini Hattangadi on her 70th birthday

As Rohini Hattangadi marks her 70th birthday, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt pays a heartfelt tribute to her remarkable career. Hattangadi's performances, particularly her impactful role in 'Arth' and the poignant stillness in Saaransh, have consistently infused her characters with elegance, depth, and authenticity, leaving a lasting impact on both the screen and the audience's hearts. In this exclusive piece for ETimes, Bhatt reflects on her artistry, her impact, and why her presence still resonates, long after the final scene fades to black.
To Rohini Hattangadi, on Your Seventieth Year
"A Tapestry Woven with Tears and Thunder
On this quiet April morning, while the world chases passing headlines, I pause to honour you, Rohini Hattangadi.

Seventy years. You may walk far from the noise now, but you remain unforgettable—etched into the soul of our cinema and the hearts of those who truly watched you.
In Arth, you were Bai—a simple domestic help, yet never small. You stood silently and steadily beside a woman’s heartbreak, your eyes carrying storms. You didn’t play the part—you were the wound, the witness, the truth that gave the story its weight.
Then came Saaransh. As Parvati, you bore the grief that has no name: a mother who has lost her child. You were the quiet flame next to Anupam’s cry—the grief that doesn’t shout but stays. It wasn’t a performance. It was prayer. People didn’t just watch you; they felt you. And they still do.
In my Swayam, your role was brief but unforgettable. In Thikana, you were a mother fierce with love. You brought truth whereas others brought technique. Your screen time never mattered—your presence did. You came from theatre, from that living, breathing school of craft—and you carried it into film like a sacred fire.
Without you, those films wouldn’t be what they are. Without you, we wouldn’t be who we are. You showed us women who endure, who break, who burn—and still hold light.
Now, at seventy, you may not seek the spotlight. But you are still a light—quiet, steady, and eternal. A national treasure, not wrapped in noise, but wrapped in truth. A performer who gave us more than roles—you gave us ourselves.
Happy birthday, Rohini. Thank you for the thunder. And the tears.
With deep love and respect,
From one who remembers,
Mahesh Bhatt

Hattangadi expressed her gratitude for Bhatt

In a recent conversation with ETimes, veteran actress Rohini Hattangadi reflected on the impact of Mahesh Bhatt’s Saaransh on her career. She shared that while Gandhi, directed by Sir Richard Attenborough, brought her international recognition, it was Saaransh that truly established her as a familiar and trusted face across Indian households.
“It helped me that Mahesh Bhatt had cast me in Saaraansh as the old wife of a theatre actor like Anupam Kher, and we both vied with one another to excel with our roles, though we didn't exceed our respective thresholds. And credit ought to go to Mahesh Bhatt for making me stand out with my role,�?she added.

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