Subhash Ghai — better known as the Showman or the Dream Merchant — gave 11 back-to-back blockbusters after a starting debacle in Gautam Govinda (1979) because sach aur saahas ho jiske mann me, anth me jeet ussi ki hoti hai! Like Alfred Hitchcock he is known to give brief cameos in his directorial ventures. So, here’s the list of grand films made by a grandiose director:
1. Karz
The coming together of Subhash Ghai, Rishi Kapoor, Tina Munim & musical duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal for this reincarnation saga gave audience the biggest musical blockbuster of that time. Evidently, Shah Rukh Khan’s Om Shanti Om was influenced with the movie and Farah Khan even made Subhash Ghai appear for a friendly cameo.
2. Krodhi
Remember ‘Chal Chameli Bagh Me’ song…? The movie had it all to become a blockbuster back then!
3. Vidhaata
Vidhaata was the highest grossing Bollywood movie of the year 1982 collecting Rs. 16 crores at that time with ‘Saat saheliyan khadi khadi fariyad sunayen’ song as the highpoint of the film. The film was later remade in Kannada as Pithamaha starring Ravichandran, Rajesh, Udayakumar and Vijayalakshmi Singh.
4. Hero
The musical blockbuster of a criminal, Hero, gained an overwhelming response from the public. Both Jackie Shroff and Meenakshi Sheshadri became huge stars after the release of the film. The music by the musical duo Laxmikant Pyarelal and the lyrics penned by Anand Bakshi were so meaningful & mellifluous. Nindiya Se Jaagi Bahaar…Aisa Mausam Dekha Pehli Baar…Melodious to the core! Pakistan’s top singer Reshma sang Lambi Judaai with just 11 instruments.
5. Meri Jung
The flick was Javed Jaffrey’s debut in B-town. Anil Kapoor’s showed acting prowess and the message in the song ‘Zindagi Har Kadam Ek Nayi Jung Hai, Jeet Jayenge Hum, Jeet Jayenge Hum Tu Agar Sang Hai’ connected well with the audience.
6. Karma
Mera Karma Tu, Mera Dharma Tu! The film marked the first time pairing of Dilip Kumar with veteran actress Nutan. It was the most patriotic movie to have churned out of Subhash Ghai’s camp at that time. Blockbuster!
7. Ram Lakhan
The film was a super hit in India solely because of Anil Kapoor’s ‘My Name Is Lakhan’ song. The film also marked a collaboration of some of the most famous villains of the late 80’s-early 90’s: Amrish Puri, Gulshan Grover, Paresh Rawal and Anupam Kher.
8. Saudagar
The film was a “Silver Jubilee” success all over India and got director Subhash Ghai his only Filmfare Best Director Award. It featured the debut performances of Vivek Mushran and Manisha Koirala. Ye Ilu Ilu Kya Hai…Ye Ilu Ilu…Soothing!
9. Khalnayak
The film was well received by critics as well as the audience and became an instant blockbuster, breaking many previous records. The dance and song “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai” became an instant classic for its choreography and notoriety for its suggestive lyrics. Sanjay Dutt’s ventured into stardom with his ‘Nayak Nahi Khalnayak Hu Mai’ song and act.
10. Pardes
Do Dil Mil Rahe Hain, Nahin Hona Tha, Yeh Dil Deewana, I Love My India and Jahan Piya Wahan Main…The film was a commercial, critical and musical hit. Mahima Chaudhary won the Best Newcomer Award for her performance. Subhash Ghai’s version of true-blue desi-love hit the bull’s eye among the audience. The film was later remade in Telugu as Pelli Kanuka (1998).
11. Taal
Taal was the first Hindi musical drama romance film to reach the top 20 on Varietys box office list as it was quite successful overseas and was an official selection by Roger Ebert for his 2005 Overlooked Film Festival. The movie marked the beginning of a famed collaboration between A. R. Rahman and Subhash Ghai. It was later also dubbed in Tamil as Thaalam. Subhash Ghai’s last magnum opus was unanimously loved by all.
Credit: Desimartini.com
Mukta Arts 