During the on-going pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns, when many across the country were sitting at home twiddling their thumbs, Subhash Ghai was writing a poem every morning. “I’ve written 64 poems in the last one year. When I shared them with a writer-friend, I was told to complete 100 and publish them. I will hit a century as soon as I get some time off from my film commitments,” he promises, quickly adding that they are not the usual lovelorn tere bina kya jeena kind of kavitas, his poems touch on issues and talk about life, including love, but more humane love.
Meanwhile, 43 years ago, on October 24, 1978, the actor turned writer and director launched Mukta Arts, his own production company. It was a special date because it was on this day in 1970 that he had married Rehana, the girl he had met and fallen in love with while studying at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune. It was a quiet wedding in Mumbai, with only a few of his institute friends, including Vinod Khanna and Shatrughan Sinha around. This was followed by a slightly bigger reception for 50, hosted by the producer of his film Umang, Atma Ram, at his Juhu bungalow, with Tamil actor-politician MG Ramachandran being a surprise special guest.
Fifty-one years later, Ghai is a happily married man and also a successful filmmaker, gearing up for the release of his next film, 36 Farmhouse, a Mukta Arts and Zee Studio production. The comedy-drama has an impressive ensemble cast, comprising Sanjay Mishra, Vijay Raaz and Ashwini Kalsekar, with Amol Parashar from the TVF series Tripling and debutante Barkha Singh in the romantic lead.
Among the films tha he has written, directed and produced, does he have a favourite? “Raj Kapoor sahab used to say, woh bachcha jo bemaar hai, wohi mera sab se achcha bachcha hai. I agree. Black & White which I wrote, directed and co-produced in 2008, was not the usual Subhash Ghai kind of fare. And while it may not have worked at the box-office, this film, originally titled Chandni Chowk, put across an important message very effectively and remains close to my heart,” Ghai informs.
Can we hope to see him make a return as a director next year? “You never know, but for that I will need a story of national importance. I can no longer just make a film with an eye to commercial success. I’ve been there, done that. I can still produce the hurrah hurrah kind of films, but as a director, I would like to graduate to the next level,” the filmmaker reasons, saying he’s enjoying this phase in his life, interacting with and learning from youngsters, some of them his own students, discovering the social media and exploring alternate avenues like OTT and television,” he shares. “There are no regrets, no complaints. I love this industry and its people. Life is beautiful today. Subhash Ghai will remain a student all his life,” he signs off.
Great Story Sir. I look forward to reading your work as an author and as a poet. SG Sir…you are a great source of inspiration to all of you at WWI. Kind regards.
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