Subhash Ghai Shares Rare Memory of Fox’s India Ambitions
Filmmaker recalls the moment British icon surprised him with her Bollywood aspirations.
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Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai recently took to Instagram to share a nostalgic memory from 1984 when he and legendary singer Asha Bhosle were chief guests at a Samantha Fox concert in Delhi. The post features a black and white photograph showing Ghai alongside Fox at what appears to be the event.
In his heartfelt post, Ghai described the encounter as “an overwhelming moment” when the British pop sensation unexpectedly expressed her desire to work in India as both an actor and singer, specifically mentioning she wanted to work in a Subhash Ghai film. According to the filmmaker, Fox made this announcement directly on her microphone in front of a cheering Delhi crowd.
“I felt shy over her compliment,” Ghai admitted in his caption, reflecting on how the international star’s public declaration caught him by surprise.
When International Stars Looked Towards Bollywood
The 1980s marked an interesting period when Western celebrities began showing interest in the growing Indian film industry. Samantha Fox, who rose to fame as a model and pop star with hits like “Touch Me (I Want Your Body),” was at the height of her popularity during this time. Her expression of interest in working with Ghai came at a time when the filmmaker was establishing himself as one of Bollywood’s premier directors.
Subhash Ghai, often referred to as the “showman” of Indian cinema, had already delivered hits like “Kalicharan” (1976) and “Vishwanath” (1978) by this time. In 1983, just a year before this encounter with Fox, he had released “Hero,” which became a massive commercial success and launched the careers of Jackie Shroff and Meenakshi Seshadri.
A Career Built On Musical Blockbusters
It’s worth noting that music has always played a crucial role in Ghai’s filmmaking. His partnership with music label Tips dates back to 1993 with the film “Khalnayak,” and according to his posts, this collaboration has resulted in “98% success as blockbusters film music.”
The filmmaker’s appreciation for music extends beyond his own productions. In another recent post, he shared his admiration for singer Sonu Nigam’s tribute to Mohammed Rafi, calling it a “masterclass for singers.”
While Samantha Fox’s wish to work in Indian cinema with Subhash Ghai never materialized, the anecdote provides an interesting glimpse into a potential cross-cultural collaboration that might have been. Fox continued her music career in the West, while Ghai went on to work with numerous Indian stars in the past four decades, crafting films that have become an integral part of Bollywood’s cinematic history.
This nostalgic post by Ghai not only highlights his journey but also serves as a reminder of a time when international artists were beginning to recognize the global appeal and potential of Indian cinema, long before the current era of increased collaboration between Eastern and Western entertainment industries.
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