Subhash Ghai on Komal Nahta’s Game Changers Podcast Shared His Experience Directing Stars like Sanjay Dutt & Madhuri Dixit, says,”I Didn’t Make Them Stars, Destiny Did”

In a revealing conversation with film critic and trade analyst Komal Nahta on his podcast Game Changers, filmmaker Subhash Ghai shared insights into his unique approach to working with some of Bollywood’s biggest stars, including Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, and Meenakshi Seshadri. Ghai, known for launching and shaping the careers of several iconic actors, humbly attributed their success to fate rather than his efforts alone.

When Nahta asked about his process of transforming these actors into stars, Ghai responded with characteristic humility, “I didn’t make them stars, their destiny did. Destiny brought us together, and I found them good, honest, like students, eager to learn. They didn’t seem fake, artificial, or cosmetic. That’s why I asked them to work together, whether it was Jackie, Madhuri, Anil, Sanju, whoever.”

Ghai emphasized that his approach was rooted in an actor’s willingness to grow and learn. For Ghai, the key factor in choosing actors was their authenticity and hunger to improve, not just their talent. “For me, the most important thing is that a person who wants to learn and has the desire to do something, you can nurture their talent as a director,” he added.

Ghai also spoke about why he left making films on the podcast, he shared “It’s just one thing, I don’t see love among people, I don’t see love in the team. I see everyone just working, poor things.” He highlighted the growing commercialization of the industry, where creativity seems to be overshadowed by deadlines and deadlines alone.

Ghai also recounted a specific incident where he was working with a writer on a project. He said, “I called a writer, told him a story, and asked him to write it. He says, ‘Yes, I’ll write it in 15 days, give the second draft in 3 days, then this and that.’ He gave me all the dates and installments, ‘Your story will be ready in the many days.'” Ghai humorously added, “I said, ‘Are you making rotis or what?’ because he gave me the whole thing with dates and installments.”

With Game Changers, Komal Nahta is set to redefine the landscape of Indian cinema conversations. Tune in to the YouTube channel for Game Changers!