Pooja Bhatt has never shied away from speaking her mind, and throughout her career, she has often found herself in the spotlight for reasons beyond her films. From one of Bollywood’s most controversial magazine covers to openly discussing her struggles with alcoholism, her journey has been filled with highs, lows, and personal transformation.
The Magazine Cover That Shocked India
In the early 1990s, Pooja Bhatt appeared on a magazine cover sitting on her father, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt’s lap while he kissed her on the lips. At a time when even on-screen kisses were rare in Indian cinema, the cover created a massive controversy. The backlash grew even stronger after Mahesh Bhatt reportedly said during a press conference, “If Pooja had not been my daughter, I would have married her.” The remark sparked nationwide debate. Years later, Pooja defended the photoshoot, describing it as an innocent moment between a father and daughter.
Her Personal Life Made Headlines
Pooja’s relationship with actor Ranvir Shorey was widely discussed in the early 2000s. The two reportedly lived together before ending their relationship on a bitter note. After the breakup, Pooja accused Ranvir of physical abuse and claimed he became violent after drinking. Ranvir denied the allegations and said he had also suffered during the relationship.
Later, Pooja found love with VJ and restaurateur Manish Makhija, also known as Udham Singh. The couple met while working on Paap and married in 2003 after dating for just two months. Their marriage lasted 11 years before they separated in 2014. Announcing the decision on social media, Pooja said she preferred to live life on her own terms and believed relationships were not defined by legal documents.
Her Battle With Alcohol
During Bigg Boss OTT 2, Pooja spoke openly about turning to alcohol while her marriage was falling apart. She admitted she had developed a drinking problem and decided to seek help. She also spoke about how women often hesitate to discuss addiction because of social stigma. Pooja quit drinking on Christmas Day in 2016 and has continued to mark every year of sobriety by sharing messages of gratitude on social media.
A Career Beyond Acting
Pooja made her acting debut at the age of 17 with Daddy before starring in films such as Sadak, Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin, Sir, Tamanna and Border. At the peak of her acting career, she stepped behind the camera to direct and produce films under her own banner.
Over the years, she has earned two National Film Awards and successfully returned to acting with Bombay Begums in 2021. Most recently, she appeared in the 2024 web series Big Girls Don’t Cry, continuing to prove that reinvention has always been one of her greatest strengths.