08 June,2026 09:17 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Vikram Bhatt and Sushmita Sen (Pics/Instagram)
Sushmita Sen is one of the most loved actresses in town. After winning the Miss Universe crown, Sushmita Sen started her journey in Bollywood with Mahesh Bhatt's Dastak. During the filming, Sushmita and Vikram fell in love. Looking back at that phase of his life, Vikram recalled how he was struggling financially despite directing major stars.
In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, the filmmaker said, "I was a struggling director. Mere pas zeher khane ke paise nahi the. I was directing Aamir Khan and dating Miss Universe, so to say, but I had no money. I was broke. I remember I didn't even have the money to buy a CD. I've lived life like a fakira."
After his relationship with Sushmita Sen ended, Vikram Bhatt later dated actor Ameesha Patel. The two were in a relationship from 2002 to 2007 after working together on Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage.
Speaking about the impact these relationships had on his life, Bhatt recalled, "Whoever came into my life has done something good. When I look back, I have love and admiration for everybody in my life. They've always given me something. What was there to take away anyway? Some gave me love, some gave me their time, some gave me a life lesson. But they did give me something or the other."
"My films have survived; relationships haven't. I must have done something right in my films. For example, in the barrack, nobody knew what you did back then. Half of them weren't even born then. But everyone remembers my films. So, I know what wins. Your hard work will win," said Vikram.
Recently, Lalit Modi echoed similar sentiments, calling Sushmita a financially independent woman.
The filmmaker was recently in the news after he and his wife, Shwetambari Soni, were arrested last December following a complaint of cheating and criminal breach of trust. The complainant alleged that the director and his associates collected funds under the pretext of producing a biopic based on his wife. In February, the filmmaker and his wife got bail after the court issued notice on the special leave petition (SLP) challenging the Rajasthan High Court's refusal to grant bail.
