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Almost synonymous with the word blockbuster, Subhash Ghai has long dominated India's box office as a director. Now, entering another phase of his career, the showman brings us Whistling Woods, a hi-tech film institute set in the heart of Mumbai's Film City.
Readers got a chance to catch up with the director at the rediff chat Friday night, and Ghai took on their questions with flair. In case you missed it, here's what went on:
Subhash Ghai says, HI everybody, I am here, Subhash Ghai for you
Madhavi asked, Of late, many of your movies failed at the box-office? Does that leave you shattered or you still feel something is in the offing for you?
Subhash Ghai answers, YOu should always look at the performer not the performance, if it doesnt work. Look at Sachin Tendulkar making centuries and then going for duck. I am a highly spirited person and would like to make the best of the movies in this country.
Rudias asked, Hi, Subhash Ghai, I am a big fan of your work and wanted to ask you if the rumour is true that you are making a film with Salman Khan and also who the lead actress is going to be?
Subhash Ghai answers, Yes I am working on a script in which Salman plays the lead. cos the role I have concieved only he can play. It is going to be his best performance till date. I am yet to choose the leading ladies opposite him. Of course it's going to be a big budget multi-starrer movie.
Lucky asked, Sir, when are you going to work with Rahman again.
Subhash Ghai answers, The script I am working for my directorial venture will have music from Rahman, because we both gel very well. and tell the story with lot of bells.
manoj asked, hi i have to go but let me tell u u really make good films keep making same and dont go to scientifc and robotc kind of films
Subhash Ghai answers, Thank you Manoj. I always llike to make films which touch my heart first and say something through my mind. YOu are right. A film maker like me shouldn't try to go for sci-fi and robotic kind of films.
kapil asked, Fist of all leme say u made some of the finest movies..."Karma" and Meri Junng still feature in my Top 5 hindi movies.. i think u shud focus more on action films rather than romnatic. wat u say??
Subhash Ghai answers, I am more excited to go for human drama than fairy tale. even if you see my romantic films like Taal, it tells about a man with conviction and other man full of ego and a woman between these two. Right? SO what do you call it?
rimaz asked, Please sir try to give answer , we are all waiting for your reply .
Subhash Ghai answers, I am here for you. Sorry if I am late.
rimaz asked, sir make films like pardes , khal nayak , we respect your direction , sir i like pardes .
Subhash Ghai answers, Thanks Rimaz. If you look at Pardes and Khalnayak, they are two different films, with 2 different messages and conflicts. And I like to try my hand on new avenues of human drama with some say.
rimaz asked, congratulation sir, for acting institute
Subhash Ghai answers, Thanks once again. I understand the importance of learning acting in big acedemies like FTII, Pune or in our Whistling Woods International. Cause I evolved myself as a writer-director and the films with the great performances of other actors for the last 26 years, because I learnt 2 years course in acting from FTII, Pune.
nanosri@rediffmail.com asked, Hello Subhas Ji, I am ITALIAN interested in Indian cinema.I am currently doing my PhD in the University of Manchester studying the inpact of Indian cinema in Italy and its culture. I have seen that there has been an audio-visual agreement signed between India and Italy and I would like to ask your opinion on this and if you have any plans of any co-production with Italy? Thanks in advance. Monia
Subhash Ghai answers, Hello Monia, Italians and Indians are very close to each other in terms of values, culture and human relationships. So that's why we like each other's films. Yes we have a agreement signed between India and Italy and our company Mukta Arts is looking forward for co-production with some reputed Italian company for international market. COngrats for doing PhD, studying the impact of Indian cinema in Italy. YOu must interact with our researcher, meghna@whistlingwoods.net in case you have any queries.
rabi asked, are you planning to make any movie with shahrukh khan ?
Subhash Ghai answers, Hello Rabi. Yes. I am trying my best to write a great role and a script for him to present him the best, because he deserves the best
hemant Dinkar from Chicago asked, Do u provide any initial Scholarship to any person to take admission in Whistling Woods International? I know u provide scholarship only after 1st year of performance. But don't u think its better to provide scholarship from beginning if some body have any back ground of Media or Thether?
Subhash Ghai answers, Hello Mr Hemant. We do have a scheme to provide scholarships to the genuine applicants with great merits and maturity, right from the begining.
patriot asked, what happen mr ghai you don;t risk making movies on true realities coz u r in the money making business where u sell dreams not realities which is also the part of the entertaintment cinema. shame on you that you didn;t answer my question
Subhash Ghai answers, My dear Patriot, I am here for you to answer your complex question. Letting you know that i did produce Jogger's Park and Iqbal on real stories but my company and investors demand money to make more movies with better entertainment for a wider range of audience. I dont know whether you are included in it or not. God bless.
Photographs: Jewella C Miranda
Watch out for Part II of the Subhash Ghai chat.