Subhash Ghai Hosts Filmmakers for Candid Chat on Changing Bollywood Trends

Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai, known for classics like Karz, Taal, and Ram Lakhan, recently hosted an informal get-together at his Mumbai home to discuss how Hindi cinema is evolving.

On Instagram, Ghai shared a photo from the evening, featuring director Mohit Suri, actor Shaad Randhawa, dialogue writer Rohan Shankar, and film trade analyst Komal Nahta. The caption revealed the theme of their chat: audiences are turning away from overpaid stars, and filmmakers should have the freedom to create what they believe in.

He wrote, “It’s always fun to have open conversations about filmmaking with friends over drinks. Last night felt like a mini masterclass filled with laughter and ideas. Thank you to everyone who came!”

The group reflected on how filmmaking in Bollywood has shifted, especially after India opened up its economy. Big international studios once entered the Hindi film space, bringing in corporate culture. While many of those studios eventually exited after suffering losses, their business-focused style of working has stayed.

As a result, many films today are shaped more by market strategy than passion for storytelling. According to Ghai and his guests, the art of filmmaking is now often controlled by corporate rules, rather than creative vision.

However, director Mohit Suri’s recent hit Saiyaara was seen as a breath of fresh air. Produced by Aditya Chopra, the film gave Suri full creative freedom. With a cast of young, lesser-known actors and a fresh crew, the movie defied expectations and became one of 2025’s biggest Hindi box office successes.

Ghai’s gathering was more than just a casual evening — it was a thoughtful exchange between industry insiders on where Bollywood stands today, and where it could go if filmmakers are trusted to follow their vision.