He was the showman of the 1980s and ’90s and even today, when Subhash Ghai speaks, Bollywood listens. So, it was no surprise that when he rang in his birthday on January 24, a host of stars came calling. The veteran filmmaker chatted with us about his big day, the road ahead, and insights into some of his home-grown superstars.
How special was your 78th birthday?
Subhash Ghai: Well, to start with, it was a surprise. My elder daughter, Meghna, organised everything. I had expected an intimate family dinner but it turned out to be a star-studded affair made unforgettable by a bunch of friends who turned up and pleasantly surprised me!
Which guest surprised you the most?
Subhash Ghai: Jaya Bachchan because, as everyone knows, she doesn’t attend too many parties. But our FTII (Pune) connection and our mutual respect for each other has cemented a really strong bond. Jaya was accompanied by Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan. There were other old friends like Shatrughan Sinha, Rakesh Roshan, Anupam Kher, Satish Kaushik.
Also, Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor, with whom you are planning your next film, right?
Subhash Ghai: Yes, I will be working with my Ram and Lakhan soon. Anees Bazmee is writing and directing the film. It’s an out-and-out comedy. I will be co-producing it with him.
Your last production, 36 Farmhouse, was a modest production with new faces. What is the plan from now on?
Subhash Ghai: We have a bunch of scripts ready. We just have to plan the films right. I have proved myself with issue-based films like Black & White, Jogger’s Park and 36 Farmhouse, but my trademark has always been larger-than-life dramas with plenty of action and emotion, music and comedy.
The success of Pathaan has given me the impetus to dream big again. Mainstream Hindi cinema is coursing through my veins and I would like to return to making big-scale entertainment like Karma, Khal-Nayak and Saudagar… that was synonymous with Subhash Ghai.
Subhash Ghai on his favourite heroes
SHATRUGHAN SINHA: I took a gamble and cast Shatru as the hero in my first directorial, Kalicharan, when he was thriving as the bad man. He aced the double roles and we went on to do Vishwanath, another superhit. He has a powerful baritone and is known for his dialogue-baazi. He would rattle off three pages of monologue in one go, without faltering or forgetting a line! And while ‘Lion’ Shatrughan Sinha roars on screen, off it, he is a gentle lamb who holds onto his friends. We’ve been friends for almost 50 years now and always attend each other’s birthdays.
ANIL KAPOOR: In 1985, Anil was no more than a teenager when I cast him in Meri Jung in a mature role. He pulled it off beautifully on the strength of his histrionics and, subsequently, went on to deliver in diversely different roles like Ram Lakhan, Trimurti, Taal, Yuvvraaj and Black & White. He is a consummate actor but when he gets serious and starts talking about the craft with me, we both end up laughing! He’s like a son to me.
JACKIE SHROFF: I don’t remember ever sitting and chatting with Jackie; it’s always been a guru-shishya relationship. During Hero, he knew nothing about cinema. Eighteen years later, when we did Yaadein, in which he played father to three grown-up daughters, he had evolved into a wonderful performer with films like Kaash, Parinda, Gardish, Rangeela and Khal-Nayak behind him. Yet, even then he surrendered to me completely. I’m planning another film with him now, in the central role.
SALMAN KHAN: When Salman forges a relationship, it’s for life. That’s what makes him such a great family man. For me, he is family and whenever I call him, he’s there. He was there for my party even though we have not worked together again after Yuvvraaj. For Salman, personal equations far outscore professional calculations. I would like to make a classic commercial film with him some day.
Subhash Ghai with his Yuvvraaj main man Salman Khan at his 78th birthday party. Instagram
Subhash Ghai on his favourite heroines
MADHURI DIXIT: She came to me as a student of not just cinema, but life itself. Today, it’s gratifying to see that Madhuri has grown into not just a brilliant and professional artist but also a perfect daughter, sibling, wife and mother. She looks amazing and be it films, television or OTT, she continues to play the game with poise and dignity. We are still in touch and she was to come for my birthday party but couldn’t make it because someone in her family was unwell.
MANISHA KOIRALA: Manisha came to me during Saudagar as a pure soul and what I admire most about her is that she has taken life’s hardships in her stride, learnt from every lesson, and grown into a woman of substance. A beautiful girl with a beautiful soul. She’s in a higher spiritual plane today that most of us can only aspire to. Around three-four years ago, I was in Nepal and got to meet with her family. I will always carry those wonderful memories with me.
AISHWARYA RAI BACHCHAN: There’s still a child in Aishwarya who will laugh, cry, get emotional. The feelings are so pure, coming from deep within. At the same time, she is also a very loving and possessive mother whose daughter, Aaradhya, is her jaan, maan, abhimaan. This combination of a child and a mother always leaves me wonderstruck and I am so happy she is a party of the Bachchan family whom I hold in high regard!
Aishwarya had just won the Miss World crown when we worked together in Taal, but there was not even a hint of pride in her beauty. It was a difficult role for a newcomer and she was a dedicated student. The film was a musical and in her, I saw one of the finest dancers on screen and a girl I knew would mature into a wonderful actress. She has more than lived up to my expectations by becoming a huge global star.
MAHIMA CHAUDHARY: I love Mahima’s innocence. My Pardes heroine has the full-throated laugh of a child and the curiosity too. She wants to know everything. In six minutes, she will ask six questions and express six different emotions. And if you ask her to go two steps forward, she will go three, then turn back to laugh at your surprise.
