{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Why Deva With Amitabh Bachchan Was Shelved: Subhash Ghai Opens Up Decades Later",
  "summary": "Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai discussed why his film Deva with Amitabh Bachchan was shelved and why he has no regrets about not becoming a mainstream actor.",
  "content": "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.\n\nThroughout 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.\n\nWhy Was Deva Shelved in 1987?\nSubhash 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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nDespite 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.\n\nTransitioning From Acting Ambitions to Direction\nReflecting 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.\n\nHe 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.\n\nAddressing 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.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis news offers movie enthusiasts and followers of Bollywood history a rare behind-the-scenes look at unmade cinematic projects.\n\n• Across India: Fans gain insight into how scheduling conflicts and shifting political careers of megastars can alter major film productions.\n• In the Film Industry: Aspiring creators can observe how initial setbacks in acting can redirect a person toward a highly successful career in writing and directing.\n\nWhy this happened\nSeveral specific circumstances led to the shelving of the film Deva and shaped Subhash Ghai's career transition.\n\n• Scheduling Conflicts: Amitabh Bachchan was actively involved in politics alongside his film career during that period, making continuous shooting dates unavailable.\n• Directorial Style: Subhash Ghai preferred a disciplined and uninterrupted shooting schedule, which could not be maintained in fragments.\n• Pivot to Writing: After his acting aspirations stalled, encouraging feedback about his writing skills prompted him to focus entirely on direction and screenwriting.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Which film did Subhash Ghai start with Amitabh Bachchan?\nSubhash Ghai started a film titled Deva with Amitabh Bachchan in 1987.\n\n2. Why was the film with Amitabh Bachchan shelved?\nThe project was dropped because Amitabh Bachchan was extremely busy with films and politics, making continuous shooting dates unavailable.\n\n3. Did shelving the film create hostility between them?\nNo, a strong bond of mutual respect and affection remained between them despite the project being cancelled.\n\n4. How did Subhash Ghai transition into direction?\nAfter his acting career did not progress, praise for his writing skills from another director inspired him to pursue writing and filmmaking full-time.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/bollywood/why-deva-with-amitabh-bachchan-was-shelved-subhash-ghai-opens-up-decades-later-32020",
  "category": "Bollywood",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-13",
  "tags": [
    "Subhash Ghai",
    "Amitabh Bachchan",
    "Deva movie",
    "Bollywood history",
    "film direction"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}