Subhash Ghai encourages young filmmakers to stay rooted in Indian culture

Filmmaker Subhash Ghai has urged young Indian filmmakers to embrace their cultural roots rather than imitate Western cinema.

Speaking at a masterclass celebrating 45 years of his cult classic ‘Karz’, he emphasised that storytelling grounded in Indian society would help rejuvenate the Hindi film industry.

"Connect with your own culture and tell stories that reflect your surroundings and experiences. Only then will you be able to truly bring emotions to life," said Ghai during the event. He pointed out that Tamil and Telugu cinema have been resonating with audiences because they stay connected to their traditions.

"My advice to young filmmakers is simple: make stories rooted in our society. Don't blindly chase technology or try to make films that look Western or overly urban, as that represents only a small fraction of our population," he added.

The masterclass also featured insights into the making of ‘Karz’ (1980), starring Rishi Kapoor, Simi Garewal, Tina Munim, Pran, and Raj Kiran. The film remains memorable for its gripping storyline and iconic songs like ‘Dard-E-Dil’ and ‘Om Shanti Om’.

Ghai revealed that Rishi Kapoor, who played the lead role of Monty, was initially skeptical about the film’s reincarnation theme.

“I couldn’t imagine anyone else but Rishi for this role. When I first told him the story, he questioned whether audiences would accept a reincarnation narrative with two actors playing the same role. But I wanted to experiment, and eventually, he liked the idea,” Ghai recalled.

The director shared a heartfelt memory of Kapoor questioning his sense of music before agreeing to the project.

"He asked me, ‘Subhash ji, do you have a sense of music?’ since ‘Karz’ was heavily dependent on its soundtrack. But when he saw ‘Dard-E-Dil’, he was so impressed that he called me to apologise for doubting me. That’s when he truly embraced the film,” Ghai said.

He also praised Kapoor’s dedication to acting over money, calling him a childlike soul who remained the same till the very end.

Neetu Kapoor, who was also present at the event, recalled her personal connection to the film.

“I started dating Rishi while ‘Karz’ was being filmed, and by the time it released, we were married. We tied the knot in January 1980, and the film came out in June,” she shared.

Simi Garewal, who played the film’s antagonist, expressed gratitude to Ghai for trusting her with such a complex role.

“I was initially hesitant and asked Ghai, ‘Will this make me a vamp?’ He assured me that it was a powerful character, and I’m grateful I took on the role,” she said. She also fondly remembered her co-star Rishi Kapoor, calling him her “old pal” and praised Neetu Kapoor for handling her life with grace.

Actress Tina Munim, who played Monty’s love interest, called ‘Karz’ a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“It’s unbelievable that 45 years have passed. I feel lucky to have worked with such an incredible team. It never felt like we were just making a movie. I was playing myself, and I loved every moment,” she said.

The Red Lorry Film Festival, organised by BookMyShow, hosted the masterclass as part of its second edition. The event not only celebrated ‘Karz’ but also served as a platform for aspiring filmmakers to gain insights from industry veterans like Subhash Ghai.