Mahesh Bhatt says being closely exposed to death of a young man led to 'Saaransh'

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt said the 1984 film 'Saaransh' was inspired by the sudden death of the young son of his mentor U.G. Krishnamurti.

'Saaransh' became the first Rajshri Productions film approved without a written script.

The film starred Anupam Kher in a career-defining role; Bhatt noted he was 34 and Kher was 28 at the time.

Bhatt was deeply affected by U.G. Krishnamurti's response to his son's death, seeing it as a natural part of life, which shaped the film's themes.

Bhatt said he had been obsessed with death since childhood, spending hours at the shamshaan ghaat in Shivaji Park.