The journey of every individual in the cinematic world is distinct. Many people arrive in the industry carrying dreams of becoming actors, yet their careers do not always flourish on screen. While some figures must endure prolonged struggles to carve out an identity, others find their footing much faster. The path of filmmaker Subhash Ghai mirrors this unique trajectory. Although he once harbored ambitions of becoming a leading man, he feels no lingering sorrow over not achieving stardom as an actor.
Throughout his career, this prominent director has delivered numerous memorable cinematic works. Interestingly, despite watching his contemporaries rise to superstar status, he never felt regret that his own acting career did not reach those heights. In a recent interview, he elaborated on the nature of real struggle and spoke candidly about his equation with megastar Amitabh Bachchan.
Why Was Deva Shelved in 1987?
Subhash Ghai recalled launching a major project titled Deva with Amitabh Bachchan in the year 1987. Portions of the film were even shot before the project ultimately came to a halt. The primary reason behind this development was the extraordinarily busy schedule of Amitabh Bachchan during that period. At the time, the actor was actively juggling his film commitments alongside political responsibilities, making it exceedingly difficult for him to allocate continuous dates for shooting.
The filmmaker prefers executing his projects within a disciplined, continuous schedule. When it became clear that obtaining regular shooting dates from Amitabh Bachchan was impossible due to his overwhelming workload, the director made the pragmatic decision to drop the project entirely rather than filming it in disjointed fragments over an extended period.
Despite the abrupt halt of such a significant film, the director clarified that this outcome created no animosity between them. He emphasized that a strong bond of mutual respect and affection has endured between them through the decades. Praising the veteran actor, he noted that Amitabh Bachchan continues to captivate audiences with his remarkable work in the industry.
Transitioning From Acting Ambitions to Direction
Reflecting on his formative years, the filmmaker shared that during his college days, he engaged in both acting and directing. Although his career as a performer failed to gain momentum, he refuses to view this as a personal failure or a source of regret. In his view, if his acting pursuits had succeeded, he might never have discovered his true calling in the worlds of writing and direction.
He recounted how another director once praised his writing abilities, a piece of advice that ultimately paved the way for his future in filmmaking. This transition became the defining cornerstone of his career, establishing his legacy as one of the country's notable directors.
Addressing the modern era of digital streaming, he noted that ticket pricing remains a major factor for audiences choosing to visit theatres, whereas digital platforms allow viewers to consume content at a lower cost through subscriptions. However, he maintained that regardless of the medium, a compelling narrative remains the most crucial element. If a story genuinely connects with viewers, it can achieve success on a smaller screen just as easily.
