'He is the showman of Bollywood'

My association with Subhash Ghai began not when I first met him, but when I saw his films as a teenager.

I always thought he was a kamaal ka director. He had a very different andaaz of presenting his hero and heroine.
Importantly, he had a superb sense of portraying the hero's entry scene in such a manner that it invariably sent excitement in the audience.

I remember seeing Kalicharan and Vishwanath with my friends. Believe me, we almost brought the theatre down. That thrill has to be felt to be believed. His movies were so much a part of me that I thought I knew this man even though I hadn't met him.

After a few modelling assignments, Asha Chandra under whom I learnt acting suggested I meet Ghai. She said my life could take a dramatic turn for the better if he cast me in his film. I met him. At that time, he was working on Vidhaata.

Asha Chandra told me he was looking out for someone who could play a villain opposite Sunjay Dutt in Vidhaata. When I entered his room, he was wearing an orange robe, very similar to how Rajneesh followers dress. He was writing something furiously.

I went up to him and said I was a model who had learnt acting under Asha Chandra and would like to do the
role of a villain. He looked up and said, "I have already alloted that role this morning to someone else, but if you wait a few days, I will definitely offer you something really good." I went back, crestfallen.

I went back after a few days. By then, I had got my first break -- Dev Anand had signed me to play a villain's henchman in Swami Dada. Again I came back, crestfallen.

A few days later, he called me.

He was making a film called Sangeet. He had approached many heroes, but all of them had backed out for reasons best known to them. Ashok Khanna, who was teaching me Hindi diction those days, told him he should consider me.  Khanna showed him my picture in an advertisement which I had modelled for. Khanna and Ghai are still good friends.

I reached his office. He was sitting there with an unusual moustache and a beard. I was clean-shaven that day. He looked at me very closely, thought for about 10 minutes, and said, "I am starting a film called Hero. Would you like to be its hero?"

There was no screen test. I wanted to hug and kiss him, but managed to restrain myself.

Then on, he started grooming me. He began monitoring every movement of mine, guiding me on how to carry myself. Within no time, he sent me to fight masters Mahendru and Tinnu Varma. I trained under them for a month. Then he sent me to his classmate Attam Prakashji for Hindi lessons.

He was very humorous whenever we met those days. Once I had to drive a jeep for a scene in Hero. He said, "Drive only if you know." I told him I knew how to drive. I ended up demolishing nearly half the set.

All along the making of Hero, he handled me like a friend, philosopher and guide. At times, I could not remember long
dialogues. He ensured the related scene was shot in parts. Within no time, the film was completed.

I'll never forget the way he presented me to the entire film industry at the premiere of Hero. He asked me to sit backstage and forbade me from coming out until he summoned me. When all the guests had arrived, he called me. All eyes fell on me. Those who mattered took note.

I had arrived.

Thereafter, he guided me for several years. In my early days, I used to consult him for his expert opinion on the projects I was offered. Only if he said yes, I went ahead. He used to tell me I should concentrate on big banners.

Ghai is an all-rounder. He knows action and dance too. He keeps doing the dance steps so that (choreographer) Saroj Khan can understand what he wants. He is also a writer, so he can easily feel how each character is shaping up.

He has the great knack of making an ordinary actor into a star overnight. All the films I have done with him --Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Saudagar, Khalnayak, Trimurti and Yaadein have been a real treat. Right now, I am dubbing for his home production Ek Aur Ek Gyarah, due for release in a month or two.

Some of his films like Trimurti and Yaadein flopped. But tell me one filmmaker who hasn't dished out a dud at the box-office?

As a director, he is very disciplined on the sets. He will not take tantrums from any artiste. He is definite and clear about what he wants. When he talks, we actors and actresses better listen. Else, he can lose his temper.

He is the showman of Bollywood.

Personally, he is my father-in-law and brother-in-law. My wife Ayesha does not have a father or brother. Her kanyaadan was done by him. When he does not sign me for his movie, like in the case of Pardes and Taal, I do not mind. If there is a role for me, he will never ignore me.

I love him. I owe him my success.

I'd like to tell him be as you are. Please do not change. My association with you is like God's gift to me.

Jackie Shroff spoke to Vickey Lalwani