Mumbai– Acclaimed Bollywood director Subhash Ghai, known for iconic films like ‘Karz’ and ‘Khalnayak’ and for launching the careers of numerous stars, has revealed why he stepped back from filmmaking. In a recent interview, Ghai expressed his disappointment with the current state of the movie industry, stating that the passion and dedication to cinema have vanished.
Speaking to YouTube channel Game Changers, Ghai explained that filmmaking has become too transactional and less creative. He recounted an incident where a writer, when asked to develop a story idea, responded with deadlines and fee demands akin to a “chapati maker,” prioritizing speed and payment over the creative process. Ghai lamented, “I stopped making films because I don’t see the love for cinema anymore.” He observed this lack of passion not only in the wider industry but even within his own team, describing the atmosphere as simply “working” rather than creating with heart.
Further criticizing contemporary methods, Ghai pointed to the impersonal nature of scriptwriting today. “They say, ‘You send me on email, that is enough.’” he stated, highlighting the lack of personal interaction. He went on to say, “People write script and dialogues on Whatsapp these days,” indicating a perceived decline in the seriousness and artistry of screenwriting.
Ghai believes this shift in filmmaking culture is directly linked to the decline in Bollywood’s ability to produce enduring superstars. He contrasted the actors of the 1980s, such as Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Akshay Kumar, who emerged from a more passionate filmmaking environment, with the current generation. According to Ghai, “That’s why the 80s actors are still superstars… because they have come from that culture.” He noted that in the last decade, Ranbir Kapoor remains the only actor to have achieved true superstardom, implying that the current system struggles to cultivate similar iconic figures.
