Top 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsMost Popular Video GamesMost Popular Music VideosMost Popular Podcasts
    Release CalendarBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersSundance Film FestivalIndependent Spirit AwardsBlack History MonthSXSWSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
Sign In
New Customer? Create account
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Biography
  • Awards
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Subhash Ghai

  • Writer
  • Producer
  • Actor
IMDbProStarmeter
See rank
Subhash Ghai
The life journey of Jagjit Singh who broke through the norms and revolutionised the Ghazal scenario.
Play trailer3:57
Kaagaz Ki Kashti (2017)
1 Video
3 Photos
Ram Lakhan (1989), Khalnayak (1993), Hero (1983), Karz (1980), these are some grand films made by a grandiose director. Since 1976, Subhash has been directing films. But recently where has the fanfare and the fire has gone from Mukta arts main director? Subhash started in 1976 with the film Kalicharan (1976), a film he made without any previous directorial experience. The film was rejected seven times before it came to NN Sippy who gave Ghai his shot. He followed this two years later with Vishwanath (1978) but struck big time with his third film, and first under his Mukta Arts banner, Karz (1980). With hit pairing of Rishi Kapoor and Tina Minium, Karz brought together Subhash & Laxmikant-Pyarelal. He then hit the audience with Hero (1983), starring an actor he would repeat many time in his future films, Jackie Shroff. This was his first film as the main protagonist. It also established Meenakshi as a top heroine. In the first two weeks, the film was declared a dud. However, from its third week onwards it went on to run at cinemas for many golden jubilees.

Again musically, Ghai had the genius stroke of having Pakistan's top singer Reshma sing Lambi Judaai with just 11 instruments. He hit next with _Meri Jung (1982)_ with Anil Kapoor and then he gave the term Multi Starrer blockbuster its true home. Karma was released in 1986 with huge fanfare. The pre-production hype matched its pre-release hype with the rivalry of Dillip Kumar and Naseeruddin Shah. It was a superhit. Again new faces were brought in. Anupam Kher made his appearance as Dr. Dang. Ghai received a national award for making an anti-terrorism film. In his next film, one of Bollywood's legends was born, Madhuri Dixit in Ram Lakhan (1989). Another superhit for a barely textbook script. Like his track record, Saudagar (1991), his next release united two icons together. Dilip Kumar and Raj Kumar. Again Ghai launched another star, Manisha Koirala. Another film another superhit. His next film was one of the most talked about films of its time and could match any film today for column space. Sanjay as the bad guy and Jackie as the good guy. Madhuri caught in between the two. _Khalnayak (1993)_ was notorious for many things. At the same time, Sanjay wound up in jail on terrorist charges. Before jail, Sanjay and Madhuri were said to be having a relationship, but when Sanjay ended up in Jail Madhuri dropped him like hot cakes and denied all knowledge of being anything more than a co-star. The main song "Choli ke peechay" was at the top of every chart and just as controversial. This was the showman's greatest moment. From here it could only go down.

Though Trimurti wasn't directed by Subhash, it came from the same production house. The film was put on hold for ages. It was meant to be a triumphant moment for Ghai. The showman and the star, Shah Rukh Khan united. For all the time he had been in Bollywood he had never made a film with Amitabh and this was his time to show the world what he could do with the star of the moment. But the project was laid back for months as Subash waited for Sanjay Dutt to be released from prison. Eventually, Dutt had a face to face meeting with Ghai and told him straight. Replace me. Anil Kapoor was drafted in. But even with Jackie Shroff, Shah Rukh Khan and Anil Kapoor the weak script was destined to fail. Its failure hit Ghai hard and Mukul Anand even harder. The later never got the chance to direct another film. His venture after Trimurti was Dus. He died towards the end of shooting. The film never saw release. With the knives that were stuck in Ghai, he came back with another Shah Rukh film this time directed by himself. Pardes (1997) was launched with Ghai declaring that from now on his films would be aimed at NRIs. From that moment on Ghai lost his biggest supporter, the press. An average hit compared to the Ghai catalog. By now he'd even changed his musical directors to Nadeem-Sharavan. Music is where the hits and flops were made. Ghai knowing this asked AR Rehman to write the music for his next film. He struck gold again. The star of the show was Aishwarya. It made phenomenal amounts of cash - not bad for a film where nothing interesting happens until the interval where one A. Kapoor makes an appearance. Ghai was back. He knew who'd been the people who'd stuck the knives in his back and isolated them, the press.

He had the last laugh. Or did he. Forward to 2001 and Ghai was planning to make history. Hrithik and Kareena together for the first time. _Yaadein (2001)_. From its announcement the press were out to hound Ghai. And it showed. The film was written off from day one. Criticised from anything and everything. The coke ads, the numerous other in film adverts, too fluffy. Jackie Shroff was the only saving grace to come out of this film. Subhash has isolated the one thing that gave his film the hype and now he's feeling very left out from the Indian press who have warmed up to other directors. Ghai had a rule of releasing a film every two years yet two years after Yaadein he has not announced a single directorial venture, just two producer ventures, Ek aur ek gyarah and Joggers Park. His ego and his own ability to create hype for his films could be to blame. He raises the expectations of his own films to such a level that the audience is expecting much. And if it fails to deliver even slightly, the audience and the press will hype up the failures even more so. What the future holds for Ghai is unknown and only he can answer. Though don't expect The Showman to let any other director take his title anytime soon!
BornJanuary 24, 1945
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornJanuary 24, 1945
IMDbProStarmeter
See rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
  • Awards

Photos

Subhash Ghai and Ali Asgar in Comedy Nights with Kapil (2013)
Subhash Ghai, Rishi Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, and Ranbir Kapoor

Known for

Mahima Chaudhry and Shah Rukh Khan in Pardes (1997)
Pardes
6.9
  • Writer
  • 1997
Anupam Kher, Manisha Koirala, Dilip Kumar, Raaj Kumar, Vivek Mushran, and Amrish Puri in Saudagar (1991)
Saudagar
6.7
  • Writer
  • 1991
Madhuri Dixit, Sanjay Dutt, and Jackie Shroff in Khalnayak (1993)
Khalnayak
7.1
  • Writer
  • 1993
Taal (1999)
Taal
6.6
  • Writer
  • 1999

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Writer

  • Footahype - Talks and Freestyle (KillaImij Records)
  • Sanjay Mishra, Vijay Raaz, Flora Saini, and Amol Parashar in 36 Farmhouse (2022)
    36 Farmhouse
  • Maslife
  • Been Thru This Before
  • Real Estate Expert
  • Apollo Group Global LLC
  • Shopify Guru
  • Hero (2015)
    Hero
  • Kaanchi (2014)
    Kaanchi
  • Yuvvraaj (2008)
    Yuvvraaj
  • Black & White (2008)
    Black & White
  • Kisna: The Warrior Poet (2005)
    Kisna: The Warrior Poet
  • Joggers' Park (2003)
    Joggers' Park
  • Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor in Yaadein... (2001)
    Yaadein...
  • Taal (1999)
    Taal

Producer

  • Sanjay Mishra, Vijay Raaz, Flora Saini, and Amol Parashar in 36 Farmhouse (2022)
    36 Farmhouse
  • Hero (2015)
    Hero
  • Kaanchi (2014)
    Kaanchi
  • Cycle Kick (2011)
    Cycle Kick
  • Love Express (2011)
    Love Express
  • Noukadubi (2011)
    Noukadubi
  • Paying Guests (2009)
    Paying Guests
  • Yuvvraaj (2008)
    Yuvvraaj
  • Black & White (2008)
    Black & White
  • Bombay to Bangkok (2008)
    Bombay to Bangkok
  • 36 China Town (2006)
    36 China Town
  • Akshaye Khanna, Mallika Sherawat, and Ayesha Takia in Shaadi Se Pehle (2006)
    Shaadi Se Pehle
  • Naseeruddin Shah, Shweta Basu Prasad, and Shreyas Talpade in Iqbal (2005)
    Iqbal
  • Kisna: The Warrior Poet (2005)
    Kisna: The Warrior Poet
  • Kareena Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas in Aitraaz (2004)
    Aitraaz

Actor

  • Sanjay Mishra, Vijay Raaz, Flora Saini, and Amol Parashar in 36 Farmhouse (2022)
    36 Farmhouse
  • Yuvvraaj (2008)
    Yuvvraaj
  • Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor in Yaadein... (2001)
    Yaadein...
  • Taal (1999)
    Taal
    • (uncredited)
  • Mahima Chaudhry and Shah Rukh Khan in Pardes (1997)
    Pardes
    • (uncredited)
  • Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, and Shah Rukh Khan in Trimurti (1995)
    Trimurti
  • Madhuri Dixit, Sanjay Dutt, and Jackie Shroff in Khalnayak (1993)
    Khalnayak
    • (uncredited)
  • Madhuri Dixit, Jackie Shroff, Rakhee Gulzar, Dimple Kapadia, and Anil Kapoor in Ram Lakhan (1989)
    Ram Lakhan
  • Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, and Naseeruddin Shah in Karma (1986)
    Karma
  • Anil Kapoor in Meri Jung (1985)
    Meri Jung
    • (uncredited)
  • Jackie Shroff and Meenakshi Sheshadri in Hero (1983)
    Hero
  • Karz (1980)
    Karz
    • (uncredited)
  • Gumrah (1976)
    Gumrah
  • Raj Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, and Mithu Mukherjee in Khaan Dost (1976)
    Khaan Dost
  • Natak (1975)
    Natak
  • In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos1

Kaagaz Ki Kashti (2017) Trailer
Trailer 3:57
Kaagaz Ki Kashti (2017) Trailer

Personal details

Edit
    • January 24, 1945
    • Nagpur, Central Provinces and Berar, British India
    • Mukta Ghai? - present

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    In 2005, he opened a center called Whistling Woods International Institute for Film, Television and Media Arts.
  • Quotes
    There are two stars that have always shown love and respect for me, whether my films have done well or not - Hrithik Roshan and Shahrukh Khan. Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt have taken me for granted.

Related news

Contribute to this page

Suggest an edit or add missing content
  • Learn more about contributing
Edit page

More to explore

Recently viewed

Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
Get the IMDb App
  • Get the IMDb App
  • Help
  • Site Index
  • IMDbPro
  • Box Office Mojo
  • IMDb Developer
  • Press Room
  • Advertising
  • Jobs
  • Conditions of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your Ads Privacy Choices
IMDb, an Amazon company

© 1990-2023 by IMDb.com, Inc.