That Dilip Kumarthe third death anniversary today. This late legendary actor continues to influence the lives of many people – not only the audience but also the people he works with. Filmmaker Subhash Ghai spoke to ETimes and cherishes some memories with the actor on the anniversary of his death. Quote:
Tell us about your relationship with Dilip Kumar and the way you think about him?
I have done three films with Dilip Kumar. The lesson I learned from him is that you have to be a good human being, a good professional, and a good family man. So, the less I say about Mr. Dilip Kumar, the better. Because he is not only an acting institution, but several stars are inspired by his acting. I stayed with him for 20 years, practically. And that changed my whole life.
What can change your life when you interact with them?
In the beginning, I was funny, and short, making mistakes and mistakes. When I directed him, I was seriously the captain of the ship. I worked with him in three films. The first one is Vidhata. When I entered the film, many people from the film industry told me that they would shoot the picture as a writer-director-editor and I had no identity as a director.
So one day when I started narrating in the script, he liked the script. He said, “Let’s go to Khandala to discuss more”. So, I went with him, but I had the same thoughts as those who told me, that he would take the picture as a director. So, the first thing when I sat down in the evening, I asked him, “Sir, I have grown up watching your performances. I want to ask you one thing. I have some worries today. Before you start discussing about movies, make movies. You will direct or shall I direct?”
Along…
He started to smile. And after a pause, he said, “You will direct the film”. I said, “Because many people told me that you took over the script and the direction. When an actor becomes a star, he becomes a superstar. So, they will be afraid, whether they are given right or wrong. So, I can understand why. But here, I am a hard worker in every department. I just don’t come to the set and take it and come back. I breathe and live with it. He said, “No, you will direct”. And believe me, in all my first films, they never, never asked why this, how. He is not a compliant actor for me. And you can see the performance.
What else did you learn from him?
In my second film, Karma, I learned from him how you appreciate others. I remember when I played Anupam Kher as Dr. Dang, when he only saw one movie, Saaransh. I took the first shot with Dilip Kumar and Anupam Kher in the jail where he was leading and Dilip Kumar was behind. Anupam Kher is nervous as he is a big fan of Dilip Kumar.
But after he finished shooting, he patted Anupam Kher. Dilip Saab told me, “You have won because he is the right actor for the role of Dr. Dang, and he is a good actor”. In one shot, when we didn’t say a line or something. So, I told Anupam about it. Dilip Saab praised you as an actor when you were walking around. So how to complement the rest? That I learned from Dilip Saab.
What memories do you have from ‘Saudaagar’?
The third film he directed was Saudaagar. After entering, Dilip Kumar and Raajkumar, I asked Dilip Saab, “Sir, people are saying that this will be a difficult film for me because it will take more time”. So, he smiled again and looked at me. He said, “Subhash, you are a good director. You are directing your own film. We are just two actors. And if everything, he (Raajkumar) is doing nakhra, insulting me in front of him. No problem.” And I started laughing. He said, “But you made a good movie. That’s important.”
So, when the shot was ready, I would say, “Dilip Saab, chaliye aaiye, hit the mark.” So, immediately Raajkumar will follow. It was a good experience for me. And you see, I wish we could have more stars with great talent, as well as good human beings, as well as very compatible co-artists. And those who have deep understanding, and wise. So, when there is a crisis, I think of him and I can handle it.
Tell us about your relationship with Dilip Kumar and the way you think about him?
I have done three films with Dilip Kumar. The lesson I learned from him is that you have to be a good human being, a good professional, and a good family man. So, the less I say about Mr. Dilip Kumar, the better. Because he is not only an acting institution, but several stars are inspired by his acting. I stayed with him for 20 years, practically. And that changed my whole life.
What can change your life when you interact with them?
In the beginning, I was funny, and short, making mistakes and mistakes. When I directed him, I was seriously the captain of the ship. I worked with him in three films. The first one is Vidhata. When I entered the film, many people from the film industry told me that they would shoot the picture as a writer-director-editor and I had no identity as a director.
So one day when I started narrating in the script, he liked the script. He said, “Let’s go to Khandala to discuss more”. So, I went with him, but I had the same thoughts as those who told me, that he would take the picture as a director. So, the first thing when I sat down in the evening, I asked him, “Sir, I have grown up watching your performances. I want to ask you one thing. I have some worries today. Before you start discussing about movies, make movies. You will direct or shall I direct?”
Along…
He started to smile. And after a pause, he said, “You will direct the film”. I said, “Because many people told me that you took over the script and the direction. When an actor becomes a star, he becomes a superstar. So, they will be afraid, whether they are given right or wrong. So, I can understand why. But here, I am a hard worker in every department. I just don’t come to the set and take it and come back. I breathe and live with it. He said, “No, you will direct”. And believe me, in all my first films, they never, never asked why this, how. He is not a compliant actor for me. And you can see the performance.
What else did you learn from him?
In my second film, Karma, I learned from him how you appreciate others. I remember when I played Anupam Kher as Dr. Dang, when he only saw one movie, Saaransh. I took the first shot with Dilip Kumar and Anupam Kher in the jail where he was leading and Dilip Kumar was behind. Anupam Kher is nervous as he is a big fan of Dilip Kumar.
But after he finished shooting, he patted Anupam Kher. Dilip Saab told me, “You have won because he is the right actor for the role of Dr. Dang, and he is a good actor”. In one shot, when we didn’t say a line or something. So, I told Anupam about it. Dilip Saab praised you as an actor when you were walking around. So how to complement the rest? That I learned from Dilip Saab.
What memories do you have from ‘Saudaagar’?
The third film he directed was Saudaagar. After entering, Dilip Kumar and Raajkumar, I asked Dilip Saab, “Sir, people are saying that this will be a difficult film for me because it will take more time”. So, he smiled again and looked at me. He said, “Subhash, you are a good director. You are directing your own film. We are just two actors. And if everything, he (Raajkumar) is doing nakhra, insulting me in front of him. No problem.” And I started laughing. He said, “But you made a good movie. That’s important.”
So, when the shot was ready, I would say, “Dilip Saab, chaliye aaiye, hit the mark.” So, immediately Raajkumar will follow. It was a good experience for me. And you see, I wish we could have more stars with great talent, as well as good human beings, as well as very compatible co-artists. And those who have deep understanding, and wise. So, when there is a crisis, I think of him and I can handle it.
