Vikram Bhatt Recalls His Broke Days While Dating Sushmita Sen, Says He Was Directing Aamir Khan With No Money

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has opened up about a highly challenging and financially unstable phase from his early career, sharing candid memories about dating former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen while being completely broke. In a recent revealing interview, the director reflected on the stark contrast between his glamorous public image and his harsh financial reality during the mid to late 1990s. Vikram Bhatt explained that while he was working on major film projects with top-tier Bollywood stars and moving in incredibly high-profile social circles, his personal bank account was practically empty. The filmmaker recalled that his financial condition was so severe that he struggled to afford basic daily expenses, describing his lifestyle at the time as that of a wandering fakir who did not even have the money to buy a music CD.

The relationship between Vikram Bhatt and Sushmita Sen originally blossomed on the sets of the 1996 psychological thriller film Dastak, which marked the actress’s highly anticipated debut in Bollywood following her historic Miss Universe win. At the time, Vikram was working closely as an assistant to renowned filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt on the project, and the professional collaboration eventually bloomed into a romantic relationship that captured massive public attention. Looking back at that memorable phase, Vikram Bhatt humorously noted the irony of his situation, stating that he was simultaneously directing Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan in the 1998 hit movie Ghulam and dating one of the most famous and beautiful women in the world, yet he had absolutely no money to his name. He even used a dramatic Hindi phrase to emphasize his extreme financial hardship, mentioning that he was so short on funds that he couldn’t have even afforded poison if he wanted to.

This open confession by the filmmaker comes at a time when public discussions around Sushmita Sen’s financial independence have resurfaced online, especially following recent remarks by businessman Lalit Modi, who praised her for being a completely self-made woman who often took care of holiday and dining expenses herself. Vikram Bhatt’s recollections seem to echo this sentiment, painting a picture of a remarkably independent partner who stood by him when his career was still in a vulnerable, struggling stage. Reflecting on his overall personal journey, the director stated that although his personal relationships did not stand the test of time, he holds nothing but love, gratitude, and deep admiration for the people who entered his life because they all taught him valuable life lessons. Ultimately, Vikram Bhatt expressed that while his romances did not survive, his films have successfully connected with audiences across generations, proving that hard work always wins in the end.