Young & restless

Paying Guest Part II? Now that’s a rumour,” filmmaker Subhash Ghai rubbishes the latest reports,and jokes,“today,every film is a Part two,isn’t it? They all look like remakes.” What seemed like an impossible rendezvous melted into an instant connect the minute Ghai walked in. Let’s be honest – the man’s one of the biggest showmen of Bollywood,and we were expecting resistance till he eagerly posed for the pics and welcomed us to join him. In town,at Fun Cinemas to audition children for Actor’s Studio at his institute Whistling Woods,here’s some more on the ‘young and restless’ Subhash Ghai.

“I’m a boy of 2009,” he laughs,concentrating his energies on the future – the youth. “Kalicharan is history. I’ve come a long way since then…35 years of filmmaking; now I want to be an educationist,” the journey has softened him,lend a more mature outlook to life,one that’s got him thinking and writing again. “It’s always been my first love,” he,however,cautions that we’ll not get another Kalicharan or Khalnayak out of him. “I don’t believe in sequels or remakes. This script would be younger,and deal with issues that plague the young.” Like terrorism and violence,as in a lot of your films? “It’s sad how young children are brainwashed and made to do unspeakable acts,and I want to take the terrorist’s perspective,why is the way he is,” Ghai delves into a raging subject,and like always,researches voraciously via books and internet. According to his observation,the present generation is extremely intelligent and talented,but unfortunately aimless. “My job now is to encourage aspiring talent,train and groom them for this industry,” he lists out a course plan at Whistling Woods,and adds how acting is not an overnight job. “It’s like any other profession. Don’t we study MBA before we get into business or learn fashion before we turn into a designer. Similarly,acting requires the same amount of hardwork,education and learning. It’s not magic,you have to go through the grind,” he stresses.

The times are changing,and so has his Chandigarh where he did his BCom from and still has fond memories of. There’s a world of a difference now. “Westernised,and more fast-food,” but the good thing is that Ghai’s adapted to this change. “Nothing’s constant,” he smiles. No wonder the recent trail of box office duds have not had the slightest of effect on him. Even if they did,he’s moved on for it’s all part and parcel of business. And then,there are seven genres of film to dabble in,and so much more to discover and launch. From giving the industry superstars,introducing the concept of film insurance,digital prints and organised money flow,Subhash has been at the forefront of change. “Well,with a non participative government,someone had to take charge,” he says.

This year will see three film from his house – Right Ya Wrong,Hello Darling and Cycle Kick. Any more M-words? “Well,M was a media fixation,not mine,” are his parting words.