Mahesh Bhatt: Rahul Roy is delusional

In 1990, two newcomers, Rahul Roy and Anu Agarwal, took the Hindi film industry by storm in Mahesh Bhatt's superhit romantic film, Aashiqui.

More than two decades later, the Bhatts are bringing back their franchise. Directed by Mohit Suri, Aashiqui 2 will have Aditya Roy Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor and Shad Randhawa in the lead.

Mahesh Bhatt is excited about Aashiqui 2.

"I am very happy. I will be there to provide whatever insights I have. Let me assure you that it is a completely brand new story, which is written by Shagufta Rafique. She is a brilliant writer and has written an extraordinary story."

Bhatt says Mohit Suri wanted to become a director after he saw Aashiqui in 1990, "Mohit was eight years old when he saw Aashiqui and the bug of making movies bit him then. And now, after 22 years, he is making Aashiqui 2."

Suri too is delighted that he has got the opportunity to take the franchise forward. "The kind of film it is and the kind of story that Shagufta has written, I can just say that it is brilliant. I will be honest to the story, to the product. I told Maheshji that I feel the film is bigger than me," said a modest Suri.
 
The film is produced by Vishesh Films, which wanted new faces for the film. A talent hunt was conducted and people from all over the world auditioned for the film.

Suri confesses that the talent hunt was a disaster: "Yes, the talent hunt was the reason for the delay. May be I am a little choosy but the people we were looking at from the talent hunt did not match the character. It's not that I have settled for a big star. I think we should start shooting from next month."

Rahul Roy, who starred in the 1990 hit, recently told a newspaper that Aashiqui would be a tough act to follow. Commenting on this Mahesh Bhatt said, "Rahul Roy is delusional. He wants Aashiqui to end with him. When it didn't end with me, how can it end with him?  I have discovered him. I think he should wake up and have some humility."

He further added, "Life continues irrespective of whether we are there or not. It is sad that we have to educate our children through interviews but he should come and wish the young team instead of speaking ill. It is pathetic."

The makers of the film are planning to release the film on Valentine's day (February 14) next year. Producer Mukesh Bhatt confirmed, "Our intention is to release it on Valentine's day because it is a love story so we are targeting that. Having said that, we will go with the flow and see how the shoot progresses.