Subhash Ghai Turns 80: How The Filmmaker Earned The 'Showman' Title And His Top 10 Movies

Along with several hit films, the veteran director is known for launching a number of big stars like Madhuri Dixit, Anil Kapoor, Manisha Koirala and Jackie Shroff, among others.

Subhash Ghai’s 10 Blockbuster Movies

1. Karz: One of Subhash Ghai’s early hits, the movie tells the story of revenge and reincarnation, where Rishi Kapoor played the role of a man who comes back to life to take revenge for his murder. The film’s music, especially the song Om Shanti Om, became iconic.
2. Vidhaata: For the film, Ghai brought together some of Bollywood’s biggest stars, like Sanjay Dutt, Sanjeev Kumar, Dharmendra and Shammi Kapoor, who gave memorable performances that stayed with the audience.
3. Ram Lakhan: It remains one of the major successes for the filmmaker, as it was a mix of family drama, action and comedy. The film is about two brothers, played by Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor, going through many struggles as they try to bring down the criminals who killed their father. The energetic music, including My Name Is Lakhan, made it even more memorable.
4. Taal: The musical revolves around a love triangle involving Aishwarya Rai, Akshaye Khanna and Anil Kapoor’s characters. While acting was top notch, songs by AR Rahman became a huge hit and Subhash Ghai’s direction brought strong emotions in the story.
5. Pardes: Another masterpiece of Ghai, which tells the story of Ganga, played by Mahima Chaudhry, who gets engaged to an NRI. But as the film progresses, she develops feelings for Shah Rukh Khan’s character, Arjun, who works for her husband’s family. Along with a strong cast, the movie also has greatest songs like I Love My India, Yeh Dil Deewana and Do Dil Mil Rahe Hai.
6. Khalnayak: Starring Sanjay Dutt, Madhuri Dixit and Jackie Shroff, the film blends suspense, drama and action. Till date, Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai remains a fan favourite.
7. Saudagar: Subhash Ghai paired two legendary actors, Dilip Kumar and Raaj Kumar on screen. The 1991 movie stands out for its engaging plot and powerful performances from the lead actors. It was one of highest grossing Indian films of the year and earned several award nominations.
8. Meri Jung: The courtroom drama revolved around a young man, who finds out that his father was wrongly hanged by the police. The film starred Anil Kapoor, Meenakshi Sheshadri, Nutan and Amrish Puri in key roles. Its intense plot and memorable music made it a hit among masses.
9. Kalicharan: The 1976 hit was Subhash Ghai’s directorial debut, starring Shatrughan Sinha, Reena Roy and Danny Denzongpa. Interestingly, Ghai initially tried his hand at acting but later shifted to direction after doing a few small roles. Kalicharan was the start of his successful career as a filmmaker.
10. Hero: Subhash Ghai helped launch Jackie Shroff, featuring his unique tapori style, which became an instant hit among audiences. The movie was a huge success at the box office and Shroff got the recognition he needed in the film industry.