Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai, renowned for introducing and working with Bollywood legends, recently shared his insightful perspectives on actors.
Known for launching Jackie Shroff in “Hero” and directing memorable films like “Karz” with Rishi Kapoor, “Saudagar” with Dilip Kumar and Rajkumar, and “Pardes” with Shah Rukh Khan, Ghai likened actors to “children” seeking constant reassurance. He categorised them into five types: non-actors, bad actors, actors, good actors, and great actors.
In a candid interview with Arbaaz Khan, Ghai labelled Vivek Mushran as a ‘non-actor’ due to his inexperience with cameras before being cast in “Saudagar” (1991). Ghai recounted how veteran actor Raaj Kumar struggled to work with Mushran, stating, “Raaj Kumar sahab faced a lot of problems working with him because he wouldn’t say a dialogue like a dialogue, he would just straight say it.”
Subhash Ghai went on to describe Jackie Shroff as a ‘bad actor’ during his debut in “Hero” but noted his evolution. “Jackie Shroff was a bad actor in ‘Hero’ because he would get worried easily. However, his face, life struggles, and honesty fit my character, and I believed he could learn the craft. Over time, he improved and became a good actor,” Ghai explained.
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Discussing Anil Kapoor, Subhash Ghai called him a complete director’s actor. “Anil Kapoor listens to the director entirely. Whether he plays Lakhan or a lawyer, he performs as directed. If his performance falls short, it’s the director’s mistake, not his,” Ghai stated.
Subhash Ghai identified Shah Rukh Khan as a ‘good actor,’ praising his ability to elevate scenes beyond the script. “A good actor understands and outperforms the scene, enhancing it beyond what’s written. Shah Rukh did this in ‘Pardes,’ sometimes lifting scenes from the script despite our differences,” he remarked.
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Reserving the ‘great actor’ category for legends, Subhash Ghai said, “Great actors like Dilip Kumar sahab, Amitabh Bachchan, and occasionally Rishi Kapoor can transform poorly written scenes into memorable ones. Their films may falter, but their performances never do.”
Ghai’s reflections provide a fascinating glimpse into the varied skill levels and qualities he observed in actors throughout his illustrious career, highlighting his deep appreciation for the craft of acting.
