Mahesh Bhatt's 'Zakhm': A Director's Painful Real-Life Story on Screen

• Mahesh Bhatt's 1998 film 'Zakhm' is based on his childhood struggles and his mother Shirin Mohammad Ali's hidden Muslim identity.
• Pooja Bhatt portrayed her own grandmother (Mahesh Bhatt's mother) in the film, wearing her saree and mangalsutra.
• The plot follows Ajay Devgn's character fulfilling his dying mother's wish for a Muslim burial amidst communal riots.
• Ajay Devgn won his first Best Actor National Award for his role; the film received the Nargis Dutt Award for National Integration.
• Mahesh Bhatt narrated the story to Ajay Devgn in a bathroom; he initially thought 'Zakhm' would be his last film.

Why It Matters: Mahesh Bhatt's 'Zakhm' is a deeply personal film, bringing his mother's hidden struggles to life.