Twenty-six years after its release, Sangharsh continues to be remembered as a bold experiment that defied the formula-driven cinema of its time. Written and produced by Mahesh Bhatt and directed by Tanuja Chandra, the film blended suspense, emotion, and imagination into a narrative that was both unsettling and timeless.
In a conversation with ETimes, Mahesh Bhatt revisited the journey of Sangharsh—a film that not only presented Akshay Kumar and Preity Zinta in unconventional roles but also quietly introduced a young Alia Bhatt to the screen.
Bhatt credits Tanuja Chandra’s creative instincts for shaping the film. Describing her as a fearless storyteller, he shared how she spotted something extraordinary in a child who had come to play Preity Zinta’s younger version. That child was Alia Bhatt. What drew Tanuja’s attention was Alia’s dimple, mirroring Preity’s own. No one could have predicted that this little girl would one day become one of the biggest stars in global cinema.
Bhatt recalled that Alia’s brief role demanded maturity beyond her years. Dressed in a pagdi, she followed Tanuja’s directions with striking attentiveness, absorbing every instruction and performing with natural ease. According to him, her journey as an actor began not with Student of the Year but with Sangharsh.
The film also gave Akshay Kumar one of his most nuanced roles, moving him away from his “action hero” image and showcasing a more intellectual, sensitive side. Bhatt noted that Akshay’s performance, though underrated, remains among his finest.
But it was Ashutosh Rana’s portrayal of Lajja Shankar Pandey that etched Sangharsh into cinematic history. Bhatt vividly remembered the chilling cry Rana delivered in a Goregaon stable, a moment so terrifying that audiences still recall it decades later.
Despite its powerful performances and layered storytelling, the film did not achieve the commercial success expected at the time. Bhatt believes this was because Sangharsh was ahead of its era, daring to place a woman, played by Preity Zinta, at the center of courage and resilience.
For Bhatt, Sangharsh remains more than just a film—it is a collection of memories: the discovery of Alia, Akshay’s transformation, Ashutosh’s terrifying brilliance, Preity’s fearless presence, and Tanuja Chandra’s vision. Even after 26 years, its impact endures, reminding audiences that true cinema is eternal.
