Is Pooja Bhatt the Torchbearer of Raj Khosla's Legacy?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Pooja Bhatt expresses admiration for Raj Khosla.
- His legacy influences young filmmakers.
- Event showcases Khosla's classic films.
- Restoration of films highlights cinematic heritage.
- Mentorship is key to passing on knowledge.
Mumbai, June 1 (NationPress) Filmmaker-actress Pooja Bhatt has shared her profound respect for Raj Khosla, stating that his insights continue to inspire her and shape the young directors she mentors. She emphasized that his enduring legacy resonates through the ages, even with individuals who never had the chance to meet him.
Pooja attended the special retrospective event 'Raj Khosla 100 – Bambai Ka Babu' alongside her father, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, and veteran actress Asha Parekh, at the renowned Regal Cinema in Mumbai, celebrating the centenary of producer-director Raj Khosla.
On Instagram, she posted a series of photos from the event and remarked: “He compared fame to starlight—a glow from stars long extinguished, with their light traveling across vast expanses to reach us. 'The light carries the message,' he said, 'but the star, the messenger, is gone.'”
She continued: “Raj sahab is indeed a star. While he may no longer be with us, his light continues to shine through me. As I mentor budding filmmakers today, I hear his voice in my own. The wisdom I impart is not mine; it belongs to him. It is said that what you teach your children extends to your grandchildren, and thus his legacy spreads outward, carried forth by those who may not even know his name. Mahesh Bhatt Excerpt-Raj Khosla, the authorized biography by Amborish Roy Choudhury.”
The event also saw the attendance of Raj Khosla's family and featured discussions with National Award-winning author Amborish Roychoudhury, who authored ‘Raj Khosla: The Authorized Biography’.
This retrospective highlighted three of Khosla’s timeless masterpieces: Dev Anand and Suchitra Sen’s ‘Bambai Ka Babu’, ‘C.I.D.’, and ‘Mera Gaon Mera Desh’, featuring Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna, and Asha Parekh.
The event was organized by the Film Heritage Foundation, recognized for its outstanding contributions to restoration, memorabilia auctions, and retrospectives.
Both C.I.D. and Bambai Ka Babu have been restored in 4K by the NFDC – National Film Archive of India under the National Film Heritage Mission, an initiative of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.