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The Subhash Ghai Chat

Subhash Ghai
Subhash Ghai was arguably the happiest guest we have seen. And it had nothing to do with the upcoming release of his film,Pardes. With readers arguing among themselves over which was his best film and praising him for a wide variety of things -- no matter the odd risque question - Ghai had a wonderful time, much better than Deve Gowda just before him. Read what the sultan of showbiz had to say.


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 21:46 IST)
Hi everybody, I'm here to have a nice interesting pleasant chat with you, before I leave for Shirdi, to pray to the Almighty to protect me from all those evils (if at all they are any) during the release. Since my piece of work, Pardes, is going to be exhibited all over the world on 8th August.


Kallicharan (Tue Aug 5 1997 21:43 IST)
Subhashji, after Trimurti, will you ever get an outside director to make a film for Mukta Arts?


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 21:48 IST)
Kaalicharan : yeah if you have an car accident doesn't mean you doesn't mean you don't drive a car next week, but you need courage to try again and again. I shall definitely engage a director for my forthcoming movies but of course I'll be much more conscious and aware of the things happening around me.


Dr Dang (Tue Aug 5 1997 21:46 IST)
Why does Pardes remind me so much about DDLJ? Plus Amrishji in the pa's rule and Shah Rukh as the hero.


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 21:50 IST)
Dr Dang: You answered your own question, maybe Amrish and Shahrukh are there and maybe its shot on a foreign location. Maybe that's given you the impression of DDLJ, but I promise you ,when you see the movie you will change this impression.


Kallicharan (Tue Aug 5 1997 21:50 IST)
Thank you, Subhash, for your candour. Which of your four star discoveries -- M, M, M and M -- are you most fond of? I know they are not fond of you, but still...


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 21:53 IST)
Kaalicharan: I'm always fond of my present 'M' whomsoever she may be. Because I like to live in the present.
Rag: We have been making these kind of movies for so many years and laughing at ourselves and at our movies and saying, 'Oh Gosh when will our audience grow up?'.


Surya (Tue Aug 5 1997 21:52 IST)
Do you think of yourself as the Indian Hitchcock?


Rana (Tue Aug 5 1997 21:51 IST)
Hello Mr. Ghai, why do you make those fleeting appearances in all your movies? Did Hitchcock tell you to do that in your dreams ?


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 21:55 IST)
Surya, Rana: So after this act of mine, realise one thing, whenever I meet you in any corner of this world I don't have to give you my visiting card. You will recognise my face "Oh, here is Subhash Ghai".


fdsfds (Tue Aug 5 1997 21:54 IST)
Mr Subhash: Why filmwallas are religious. Don't you have faith in yourself. How can going to Shirdi help the film Pardes to be a hit. If it is a good movie, as I believe, it will be a hit, isn't it??


Shishir Joshi (Tue Aug 5 1997 21:54 IST)
What does Subhash Ghai do -- God forbid -- if Pardes flops? Will you stop making films?


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 21:58 IST)
FDSFDS: If you read my answer carefully, I didn't say I'm going there to ask god to make the film a hit but to protect me from the evils if at all any, I believe in spiritualism, and it gives me the strength and I happen to associate myself with a saint like Saibaba.
Shishir Joshi: I will make a super duper hit next time.


amit (Tue Aug 5 1997 21:57 IST)
Subhashji, For the first time Pardes has music by Nadeem Shravan and not by your long time favourite Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Even in Shikhar I think its Rehman. What is the reason? Do you think that LP have lost their touch?


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:3 IST)
Amit: You see LP they are very talented music composers. What happens is if somebody doesn't want to change and grow with the latest technology or demands one stops growing. And this is what exactly happened wit LP. I have bee always a keen and cautious student of cinema, drama, music and I'm always keen to grow and ready for any change. That is why engaged A R Rahman for his creative sound and compositions. Today in Pardes, Nadeem-Sharavan have shown their talent, that they are capable enough to deliver the goods to the director like me with the competent quality of LP or A R Rahman. I'm sure if you listen to the music of Pardes again and again at least for 2-3 times, you will realise what I mean and why I did it.


MOHAMMED KHAN (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:1 IST)
SUBHASH JI: Have you finalised the casting for SHIKHAR!!! Who are they????


NANDINI (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:1 IST)
*Nandini sashays in... hoping the great director would notice her and give her a role in his next film*
Hi, Subhash uncle! *S* I am crazy about your films... And, uncle, me too am a spiritualist...


fdsfds (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:1 IST)
Subhashji: How can an intellectual man like you believe in 'spiritualism'. In the era of liberalisation, if India's one of the top directors believe in spiritualism, then what can you expect from hoi polloi! Shame, I think India has not change even after six years of liberalisation. SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME Indians!!!


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:8 IST)
MOHAMMED KHAN : I will think of my next project only after August 15th and will let you know.
Nandini: If you want to be a heroine you should always avoid the word uncle.
fsdfsd: I wish you could be bold enough to speak your name, fdsfds .You shouldn't hide your own name, that is your name, your existence, dignity, integrity? And you must speak the truth, who you are, what you are, first by spelling your name, believing in yourself. That is spiritualism and that is what Vivekanand said.


MOHAMMED KHAN (Tue Aug 5 1997 21:58 IST)
Hello SUBHASH JI, You made a HISTORY by bringing two of the best actors ever Indian cinema has produced, Mr. Dilip Kumar and Mr Sanjeev Kumar together in VIDHAATA!!! How was it working with them together??? Did the egos ever clashed regarding the characters they were playing???


rajg (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:2 IST)
Mohammed: R u talking of Vidhata! Oh! That was one of the WORST movies I have ever seen. Subash Ghai **WASTED** the talents of two great stars in that lousy movie!!


MOHAMMED KHAN (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:6 IST)
RAJG: VIDHAATA is the BEST directed movie from subhashji so far. The scenes between DILIP SAAB and SANJEEV SAAB are thrilling. Its a great movie and the best of subhash ghai. If you have a taste for average movies like RAM LAKHAN, SAUDAAGAR and KHALNAYAK and TRIMURTI than it is not my fault.


raj (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:5 IST)
subhasji, I heard u got a gold medal in acting from Pune film institute. Why u didn't join the film industry as an actor?


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:12 IST)
Mohammed Khan, RajG: So you know guys, how I'm taking care of everybody's taste good, bad or great.
Raj: Well that is an individual liking and aptitude, and one should always do what is his forte. I enjoy direction much more than acting.


ahmittal (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:11 IST)
Congratulations on your tremendous success so far. The name "showman" says it all.
I have a question - in your opinion, who are the best actors and actresses you have worked with ?


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:13 IST)
ABMittahal: Mr Dilp Kumar, Mrs Nutan, Sanjeev Kumar.


Surya (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:12 IST)
Subhashji, do you get sudden whiffs of inspiration... or is it just picking up things from here and there?


MOHAMMED KHAN (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:11 IST)
SUBHASH JI: Now that so may directors from Asia like JOHN WOO (face/off) and SHEKHAR KAPOOR are making their way into HOLLYWOOD. Why is a talented director like yourself is after repetitive storylines and characters in Bombay filmdom.


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:15 IST)
Surya: When you are a keen student and in constant search of ideas and are a focussed person, you do get lot of ideas and then you pick and choose. MOHAMMED KHAN: Well I will make my entry in proper time with a proper kind of project. Maybe in the near future. Thanks for inspiring me.


raj (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:13 IST)
Subhashji.... why r Indian movies always have a family based stories... I have hardly seen a movie.. like Speed, Jurassic Park or even MIB


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:17 IST)
Raj: India is a family oriented nation, they believe a lot in human relationships, give and take, duties and responsibilities, for them aliens are still aliens.


Shishir Joshi (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:16 IST)
Subhash, what is the great dilemma confronting movie-makers like yourself? Is it a problem of breaking the mould and doing something different?


Surya (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:16 IST)
Subhashji, we heard that your office was roughed up because of some 'hafta' happening...could you tell us more about it? What actually happened?


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:19 IST)
Shishir: The greatest dilemma before a moviemaker like me to make a superhit film for the masses and a great film for the classes at one time, at one go.
Surya: Not really It has been false news that I too have been reading in newspapers.


rajg (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:20 IST)
Subhashji: After having directed movies for over 2 decades, It is disappointing to note that there is no "growth" in your style and treatment. Don't you feel so?? One expects more that routine masala stuff once on two years! C'mon Ghai Saab, Give us something different from the routine song & dance grind!


prefhol (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:17 IST)
how many movies have u made till date


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:28 IST)
Rajg: Thanks for your comment, I read it carefully. You have to promise me that will write back to me about your fresh comments after seeing Pardes to this address, news@www.rediff.co.in And I'm sure you will change your impression.
Prefhol: I have written and directed 12 movies and Pardes is the thriteenth film.


Anita (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:25 IST)
Subhashji: How did you coin the word, Dr Dang. Was it after the late chinese leader, Deng???


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:30 IST)
Anita: I have one friend, Mr Anil Dang, who is the owner of the Grand hotel in Agra I found this name very effective and unique and that's how I kept my protagonist's name Dr Dang.


MOHAMMED KHAN (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:28 IST)
SUBHASH JI: I heard you were unsatisfied with the music A R RAHMAN composed for SHIKHAR. Is it true or just a rumor??? Would you say A R RAHMAN is the best (most creative) music director we have in India???


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:32 IST)
MOHAMMED KHAN: No, I'm very happy with the music of Shikhar composed by A R Rahman, I think he is one of the best composers we have in India. He is the ideal combination of art and science, music and sound , symphonies and erratic music, melodies and folk music, he is a man of knowledge and creative instincts.


ahmittal (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:30 IST)
Who do you think has the most potential as an actor/actress from the current crop to be a legend in Indian cinema ?


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:35 IST)
Ahmittal: Shahrukh Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Mahima Chowdhary, Tabu, provided they don't grow with attitude problems.


MOHAMMED KHAN (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:24 IST)
SUBHASH JI: You worked with DILIP KUMAR in three films I believe. How was the whole experience????


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:36 IST)
Mohemmad Khan: Great and just great. Dilip Kumar is the only actor from whom I have learnt a lot.


rajg (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:34 IST)
SubhashJ: How do u rate Shankar and Mani Ratnam??? (I feel they are doing Great; especially Shankar whose Jeans will be released shortly). Pls give your comments.


Rana (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:34 IST)
Where did you find Madhuri Dixit ? I would like to go there and see if there are more women like her there .. What a looker ... God bless you, Mr Ghai ..


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:41 IST)
Rajg: Both are very competitive intelligent directors but both have a different canvas with different brush and colour. I enjoy their movies , whether its Bombay or its Hindustani.
Rana: Thank you , you have to grow a keen sight to look for those kind of lookers. Compliment to Madhuri is compliment to me. So thank you.


rajg (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:40 IST)
SubashG: Why was the Publicity of Pardes sooo "low-key" compared to your previous launches. Earlier when u announced a movie , there used to be a big "hangama" in the magazines, papers -- 5-star hotel bashes, Big Advt. Is baar aaap kafi "chup-chaap" picture bana diya!! Was this deliberate? Kya wajh thi?


Altaaf: Roja, Bombay, Maachis.. Sab ko bhul gaye kya? Arrre yaar kitna baar wohi Bhai-bhai ka masala dekhte rahoge!


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:44 IST)
Rajg: Every picture brings its own sound , own style of publicity, and marketing strategy this was a deliberate effort on our part not to talk much about Pardes but to demonstrate the play on the screen lets see what happens on 8th August when its releasing all over the world.
Altaaf: I respect your sentiments and their respects for me. Thank you, Altaf.


rajg (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:43 IST)
SubashG: Do You have any real brothers? Why are U so obsessed with bhai-bhai roles??


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:45 IST)
Rajg: Yes I have one dear brother Ashok Ghai who produced Ram Lakhan, Prem Dewaane and Jaan and now directing Shyam Ghanshyam and he is very much Lakhan to me.


ahmittal (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:43 IST)
Hmm... It would be interesting to watch Mahima, as you put her in the same league as some other very talented actors/actresses. You didn't pick Manisha Koirala ? Is it because of her attitude problem ?


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:47 IST)
Ahmittal: You said rightly , I would like to cast an actress with a better attitude than a star with an attitude problem.


rajg (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:47 IST)
SubashG: I see that u are "computer-literate" (unlike our useless Ex-PM who messed up his chat show). Do u Use Computer regularly? Do u Surf the Web (like Shammi Yahoo Kapoor who surfs around a lot)?


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:49 IST)
Rajg: I like to be a keen student of the latest technology whatsoever I have a computer at home and I like to talk to people on Internet, and it makes me feel closer to all of you who are fond of movies .


amit (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:47 IST)
Shubhasji, What do you think about the so-called art films, for examples films by say Satyajit Ray, Adoor etc.?


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:52 IST)
Amit: I respect art filmmakers for their expression of realism and going more closer to the human insight without caring of melodramatic overtones and entertainment values . I have been a student of Ritwick Ghatak in my film institute days. He was equally a great director like Satyajit Ray an I loved his film for his cinematic excellence.


rajg (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:50 IST)
SubhashG: what do u have to say about the new actor in Pardes who is acting along with Shahrukh and Mahima? I suppose his name is some Abhishek. (the whole publicity is on Mahima :-)) )


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:54 IST)
Rajg: His name is Apoorva Aginihotri and I'm sure you'll love him equally as you may fall for Mahima -- beware...


rajg (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:54 IST)
Subashg: Which chat sites do you generally login to? (would like to catch you sometime there!)
BTW, are you typing your own answers or Are you dictating it to the Rediff folks??


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:55 IST)
Rajg: I'm talking to you through the Rediff folks. And I'm enjoying it much more this way .


Subhash Ghai (Tue Aug 5 1997 22:57 IST)
Happy fifth anniversary of Indian independence and here is our little tribute to this year by presenting you a simple film of simple people "Pardes".............yeh duniya ek dulhan - dulhana ke maathe ki bindiya --- yeh mera India, I love my India. Thank you.


Questions Subhash Ghai did not answer
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