Pooja Bhatt recently opened up about one of the most talked-about relationships of the 1990s — her romance with Bobby Deol. In an emotional and mature conversation with journalist Vickey Lalwani, Pooja looked back at their relationship with warmth, calling it a “magical time” in her life while also explaining why the two eventually drifted apart.
Pooja revealed that during the early phase of her career, she never dreamed of becoming a full-time Bollywood star despite the massive success of her debut film Daddy. She shared that acting was not something she aggressively wanted to pursue, and she was more interested in living life on her own terms.
While talking about rejecting her father Mahesh Bhatt’s cult romantic film Aashiqui, Pooja mentioned that one of the reasons was that her boyfriend at the time was uncomfortable with her film career. However, she clarified that she met Bobby later and eventually fell deeply in love with him.
Speaking about Bobby Deol, Pooja’s admiration was clearly visible. She said there was every reason to fall in love with someone like him and described him as a gentle and wonderful person to share life with. According to her, their relationship was filled with beautiful memories, happiness and emotional connection.
However, despite their strong bond, the two slowly grew in different directions as life changed. Pooja explained that relationships sometimes naturally reach a point where people evolve differently, and that is exactly what happened between them.
What stood out most in the interview was the dignity with which Pooja chose to speak about her past. She firmly said she would never publicly discuss the exact reasons behind their breakup because Bobby is now a married man, a father and someone she still respects deeply.
She added that relationships should not be reduced to gossip or blame games years later. According to her, if two people once shared love and meaningful memories, those moments deserve grace and respect even after the relationship ends.
Pooja also praised Bobby’s recent comeback in Bollywood. She especially mentioned his powerful performance in Animal starring Ranbir Kapoor. She admitted that Bobby’s role left a huge impact on her and said she was extremely happy to see audiences celebrating him again after years.
Bobby Deol has witnessed a major career revival in recent years. After the success of Animal, fans have once again started calling him one of Bollywood’s most underrated actors. His intense screen presence and emotional performances have earned him a fresh fan following among younger audiences as well.
Before marrying Tanya Deol in 1996, Bobby’s relationship with Pooja Bhatt often made headlines in Bollywood magazines. However, unlike many celebrity breakups, theirs never turned ugly publicly. Even today, both stars continue to maintain mutual respect for each other.
Bobby and Tanya are now parents to two sons, Aryaman Deol and Dharam Deol, and continue to stay among Bollywood’s most private celebrity families.
Pooja Bhatt, meanwhile, married Manish Makhija in 2003, but the couple separated after 11 years of marriage. Over the years, Pooja has openly spoken about personal growth, emotional healing and choosing peace over societal expectations.
On the work front, Bobby is now preparing for the release of his upcoming film Bandar directed by Anurag Kashyap. The film has already created buzz internationally after premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Pooja Bhatt’s heartfelt words about Bobby Deol have now gone viral online, with many fans appreciating the emotional maturity and respect with which she remembered her past relationship. In an industry often filled with controversies and public feuds, her comments became a reminder that some relationships may end, but the good memories and mutual admiration can still remain forever.
