Mahesh Bhatt on ‘Bollywood Without Make Up’: ‘We’re looked at so much, and understood so little’ | Exclusive

Mumbai: Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has teamed up with Meghna Hirawat Upadhyay of Alphaneon Studios for Bollywood Without Make Up, a conversation-based series that explores the personal lives and experiences of people from the entertainment industry beyond their public personas.

Explaining what prompted him to take up the format, Bhatt said his years in the film industry had given him a close view of the people who inhabit it, including their struggles, vulnerabilities and moments of humour.

“I’ve spent my life among these people. I’ve seen their courage, their loneliness, their humour. I wanted a conversation where they could feel at ease enough to let us see something of themselves,” he said.

For Bhatt, the title Bollywood Without Make Up reflects the gap between how film personalities are perceived and who they are away from the spotlight.

“We’re looked at so much, and understood so little. To me, it means seeing the human being behind the image — someone who loves, loses, feels afraid, and still finds the courage to face another day. I’m one of them,” he added.

Speaking about his association with Upadhyay, Bhatt described her as “a chip off the old block” and acknowledged her willingness to support a format that moves away from conventional celebrity conversations. He credited her with having the courage to back an idea such as Bollywood Without Make Up.

Bollywood Without Make Up series

Upadhyay, meanwhile, spoke about her experience in podcast production, revealing that Alphaneon Studios has worked on more than 400 podcasts so far.

Discussing the 14-episode series, which features personalities including Anupam Kher, Mallika Sherawat and Ankit Tiwari, she recalled how several conversations took an unexpectedly emotional turn. According to Upadhyay, the interviews affected not only the guests but also their family members, with some becoming visibly emotional during the recordings.

“There was no one who hadn’t cried… Everyone had tears in their eyes. It was such a touching moment for everyone,” she said, reflecting on the atmosphere during the interactions.

Naam movie update

Apart from the talk show, Upadhyay also shared an update on the upcoming film Naam. She clarified that although the project shares its title with the 1986 film starring Kumar Gaurav and Sanjay Dutt, it follows an entirely different storyline, combining action and romance.

According to her, the script has been finalised, and nearly 90 per cent of the cast is in place. The team is now looking to begin shooting before the end of the year.

With Bollywood Without Make Up, Bhatt returns to a format built around personal conversations, this time focusing on the experiences that often remain outside the public narrative surrounding the film industry.