She Gave Us More Than Roles—She Gave Us Ourselves: Mahesh Bhatt pens heartfelt tribute to Rohini Hattangadi on her 70th birthday | Hindi Movie News – The Times of India

As Rohini Hattangadi—one of Indian cinema’s most quietly powerful performers—celebrates her 70th birthday, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt offers a deeply personal tribute to the actress whose work has left an indelible mark on both screen and soul. From her stirring portrayal in Arth to the haunting stillness of Saaransh, Hattangadi has consistently brought grace, gravity, and truth to every role she’s inhabited. In this exclusive piece for ETimes, Bhatt reflects on her artistry, her impact, and why her presence still resonates, long after the final scene fades to black.
To Rohini Hattangadi, on Your Seventieth Year
“A Tapestry Woven with Tears and Thunder
On this quiet April morning, while the world chases passing headlines, I pause to honour you, Rohini Hattangadi.
Seventy years. You may walk far from the noise now, but you remain unforgettable—etched into the soul of our cinema and the hearts of those who truly watched you.
In Arth, you were Bai—a simple domestic help, yet never small. You stood silently and steadily beside a woman’s heartbreak, your eyes carrying storms. You didn’t play the part—you were the wound, the witness, the truth that gave the story its weight.
Then came Saaransh. As Parvati, you bore the grief that has no name: a mother who has lost her child. You were the quiet flame next to Anupam’s cry—the grief that doesn’t shout but stays. It wasn’t a performance. It was prayer. People didn’t just watch you; they felt you. And they still do.
In my Swayam, your role was brief but unforgettable. In Thikana, you were a mother fierce with love. You brought truth whereas others brought technique. Your screen time never mattered—your presence did. You came from theatre, from that living, breathing school of craft—and you carried it into film like a sacred fire.
Without you, those films wouldn’t be what they are. Without you, we wouldn’t be who we are. You showed us women who endure, who break, who burn—and still hold light.
Now, at seventy, you may not seek the spotlight. But you are still a light—quiet, steady, and eternal. A national treasure, not wrapped in noise, but wrapped in truth. A performer who gave us more than roles—you gave us ourselves.
Happy birthday, Rohini. Thank you for the thunder. And the tears.
With deep love and respect,
From one who remembers,
Mahesh Bhatt