Subhash Ghai Was Like A Dronacharya To Me, Learnt A Lot From His Films: Imtiaz Ali

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali says he has always considered Subhash Ghai his Dronacharya as veteran director’s films played an important role in teaching him art of storytelling while growing up in Jamshedpur.

Ghai launched his memoir, titled "Karma’s Child" and co-written by journalist and author Suveen Sinha, at National Centre for Performing Arts here on Friday evening. It is published by HarperCollins.

"You know about music of Subhash Ghai films. Music from his films is very popular and touched your heart. He has maintained a beautiful balance between good and popular music.

"You keep learning good things from visible or invisible gurus. Subhash Ghai was like a Dronacharya when I was like an Ekalavya in Jamshedpur and learnt from his films,” Ali told reporters.

Ali said he hasn't fully re book, but chapters he has completed teach beautiful things about films and life.

"Karma’s Child' is a must-re for every movie enthusiast, he ded.

Ali, known for films such as "Jab We Met", "Rockstar", "Tamasha", and "Love Aaj Kal", said Ghai’s 1983 love story "Hero", starring Jackie Shroff and Meenakshi Sheshri, h a huge impact on his life.

“I was in that age, watching all that, listening to that music and way Subhash ji has me that film, it h a very strong impact on me. I always used to narrate story of 'Hero' to my friends and slowly I was inclined towards drama in school," he said.

Ali also recalled his first meeting with Ghai.

"Subhash ji came to watch my film 'Socha Na Tha'. He was such a huge personality, and I did not even dare to stand in front of him. Luckily, he liked my film. At that time, film was in trouble, meaning it wasn't getting release and needed some money.

"So, Subhash ji bought TV rights so that film could be released. His point of view was that film is nice and lovely; it has to be released. Later, he signed me as well. When I saw him for first time, he was like a deity who saved me and released my film,” he said.

Ghai, known for films such as "Karma", "Khal Nayak", "Ram Lakhan", "Hero", "Pardes" and "Taal", said he is happy as well as nervous about his memoir.

“Whenever you tell a story in films, sometimes re are good and b things (attached). You have spoken against some people and you have to agree with some people. So, era is high and low, dilemma of director. I have expressed my experience from my perspective,” he said.

79-year-old filmmaker said it feels “good” when upcoming directors compliment his films and appreciate his work.

“When I was making those films, I was thinking it was nice, but when an upcoming generation compliments your films, you know it's not market. Back n it was a market, and now it is real miration. I feel genuine miration has started now," he ded. PTI SSG RB RB