Subhash Ghai, the legendary director known for revolutionize Indian Cinema with his films, the man behind various Bollywood classics, the Silver Jubilee specialist, was felicitated with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the recently concluded Filmfare Awards.
Subhash Ghai’s most notable works include ‘Kalicharan’ (1976), ‘Vishwanath’ (1978), ‘Karz’ (1980), ‘Vidhaata’ (1982), ‘Hero’ (1983), ‘Meri Jung’ (1985), ‘Karma’ (1986), ‘Ram Lakhan’ (1989), ‘Saudagar’ (1991), ‘Khalnayak’ (1993), ‘Pardes’ (1997), ‘Taal’ (1999) amongst others. Credited with writing, directing and producing some of the biggest Bollywood films, Subhash Ghai has become an institution in himself due to his unmatchable repertoire. The celebrated film-maker, writer, director, producer’s work is nothing less than a Bible for Bollywood enthusiasts.
On receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, Subhash Ghai shared, “When you see it’s a lifetime. You never know when a life begins and where it ends, there are only intervals. Life keeps on testing us. I can relieve those moments, wherein years ago at this very stage, the stage for Filmfare, I was selected as a finalist in a talent hunt and today I am bestowed upon the honourable Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, all that I can feel and tell myself is that Subhash Ghai there’s a lot more that you need to do. I consider myself blessed and honoured to have received this award by Mr. and Mrs. Devendra Fadnavis. Devendra Fadnavis is one of the most notably honest, capable, bright leaders that India has today. My humble thanks to Filmfare, Vineet ji, Jitesh Ji and the entire team and the jury for this honour. In the recapture of my journey presented here, they have mentioned about my school Whistling Woods which is my mother’s blessing.
“In 1965 when I began my career, I thought I have arrived but it was the beginning of my struggle. The struggle to approach directors, producers, just like all of us. I had given hope and so decided to write a letter to my mother mentioning that I don’t even know an accountant here, how am I going to survive in this industry. In reply to that letter, my mother mentioned, if you have taken a step forward then don’t step back along with a couple of other lessons. I feel those lessons have brought me here. She mentioned you are your biggest competition, you have to outdo yourself everyday. The more love you spread, the more love you will receive. Accept all and respect all. Character development is way superior to any other material development. If you’re a good person, people are going to stand by you in every situation, no matter what. I would like to say that all my friends and acquaintances have been very supportive of me. At times I questioned if I was worthy of all the love that I received from them. I always prioritised my responsibility over my right. Struggles are a part of our lives, we mustn’t ever stop fulfilling our responsibilities and the world is ours to achieve. I have made all kinds of films, good, very good, mediocre, but all of them were made with love. I never anticipated the success of any film but always thought about will this be a good movie or not. I never anticipated the amount of moolah my film will rake but always emphasized upon generating authentic connect with the audience. If I am unable to shed a tear on the particular scene, the audience won’t. All the money that my films made, I invested the same into building my school and I feel blessed about the fact that I can teach more film makers and share my craft with them. I am blessed to see my beautiful wife and beautiful daughters relishing this moment with me. Thank you to each one of you who have been a part of my journey”, Ghai further continued.
Subhash Ghai was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award by Deputy CM of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis and his wife, Amruta Fadnavis.
