The Showman of Bollywood: Subhash Ghai

The 80s and 90s were the time of some epic films in Bollywood. Some of the films that come to mind are the films of Subhash Ghai such as Hero, Karma, Meri Jung, Khalnayak and Taal. Even today, we flip a channel and there is a Subhash Ghai movie running on one channel or the other.

All his films had a clearly defined and easy to follow narrative that was a hit with the masses and the classes. The characters were etched properly and left a mark and the songs were melodious and catchy.

Subhash Ghai was called the showman because of the beauty that he portrayed on screen with each moment. The lighting, composition, and acting were all pitch perfect. He has been a champion of commercial cinema and has been successful in satisfying everyone, whether it is a truck driver or a diamond merchant.  An important aspect of his filmmaking is that his films are relevant even today. Many of the characters in his movies are still remembered by the masses and are cited as big influences by the current crop of actors and students of cinema.

Subhash Ghai’s upcoming film Kaanchi will release on the 6^th of December and we all hope to see Ghai’s magic once again on the big screen.

Rishi Kapoor plays a negative character in Subhash Ghai’s Kaanchi

Rishi Kapoor has become a leading face of character driven roles that have negative shades. It started with the menacing Rauf Lala in Agneepath, led to the role of a gangster in D-day and now he plays the role of a flamboyant business tycoon who is the villain in Subhash Ghai’s next film, Kaanchi.
Subhash Ghai and Rishi Kapoor have come together after a span of 32 years.

Their first film together was Karz. Even though Karz did not do well at the box office, it’s now considered a cult film.

Kaanchi will see Rishi Kapoor play a businessman who likes the 3 Gs – Girls, Guns, Guitar.
Subhash Ghai says “We are having so much fun on the sets shooting with Rishi Kapoor and it is a pleasure to work with one of the best actors in the industry. I am sure the audience is going to love his look and character in the film.”

Kaanchi stars Kartik Aryan and newcomer Mishti. The movie is going to release on 6^th December 2013.

Aishwarya Rai mentored by the Showman Subhash Ghai in one of her best performances

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan had done only a few films prior to 1999 and was waiting for her first major hit. In 1999, she took the leading role of Mansi, an aspiring singer, in Subhash Ghai's musical Taal.  She was mentored by Subhash Ghai and delivered one of her best performances till date. Taal was a big hit in India as well as in the foreign market and catapulted Aishwarya to the league of big actors in Bollywood. Aishwarya Rai received a second Best Actress nomination for Taal that year at the Filmfare Awards ceremony. 

Watch this space to see how the Showman’s new protégé Mishti delivers a memorable performance in the upcoming film Kaanchi!