Subhash Ghai

Biography

Subhash Ghai (born 24 January 1945) is an Indian film director, producer, actor, lyricist, music director, and screenwriter, known for his works predominantly in Hindi cinema.

 He was one of the most prominent and successful filmmakers of Hindi cinema throughout the 80s and 90s.

 His most notable works include Kalicharan (1976), Vishwanath (1978), Karz (1980), Hero (1983), Vidhaata (1982), Meri Jung (1985), Karma (1986), Ram Lakhan (1989), Saudagar (1991), Khalnayak (1993), Pardes (1997) and Taal (1999).

In 1982, he started Mukta Arts Private Limited which, in 2000, became a public company, with Subhash Ghai as its executive chairman. In 2006, he received the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues for producing the social problem film Iqbal. 

The same year he founded the Whistling Woods International film and media institution in Mumbai. In 2015, he received the IIFA Award for Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema.

 His films are known for their iconic characters, grand and epic sets and climaxes, and themes of divine justice or duty. The vast majority of his movies are considered iconic or classics by most Indians, leading to their immense popularity on Television and YouTube.

Born in Nagpur, India, Subhash Ghai's father was a dentist in Delhi. Ghai graduated in commerce from Rohtak, Haryana, and then went on to pursue graduation in Cinema from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.

In an interview with Rajya Sabha TV, Ghai recounted that after passing out from FTII, he came to Bombay, but was not allowed to enter any studio as he was unknown. 

He then read self-help books like Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and influence people, and used techniques given in it to help him try and enter the film industry. At the same time, he learned of and entered a United Producers Filmfare talent contest. 

Of the 5,000 participants, three people were selected in it, Rajesh Khanna and Dheeraj Kumar. While Khanna received a role soon after, Ghai received a role a year later.