‘Grateful For The Lessons And Memories’: Anil Kapoor Wishes Longtime Friend Subhash Ghai On 81st Birthday

Bollywood’s evergreen actor Anil Kapoor took to social media to celebrate a special milestone for his longtime friend and collaborator, filmmaker Subhash Ghai, who turned 81 on Saturday. Their bond, forged over decades of working together on iconic films, shines through in Kapoor’s warm tribute, where he praised Ghai’s passion, vision, and generosity.

Sharing memories of their journey together, Kapoor wrote on his Instagram Stories, “Happy Birthday, @SubhashGhai1 saab. Your passion for cinema, clarity of thought, and generosity of spirit have left a lasting impact. Grateful for the lessons, conversations, and memories over the years. Wishing you continued good health, happiness, and success.”

The friendship between Anil and Ghai has been as cinematic

as their films, rooted in mutual respect, trust, and countless creative moments. From intense brainstorming sessions on set to celebrating box-office victories together, their camaraderie has endured through the highs and lows of Bollywood’s changing landscape. Kapoor’s message reflects not just admiration for Ghai as a filmmaker but also the affection of a friend who has witnessed the director’s journey firsthand.

Their professional collaboration began in 1985 with Meri Jung, a drama starring Girish Karnad, Khushboo, and Nutan. The story revolves around a man framed for murder and his son’s quest for justice—a project that marked the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership. A year later, they teamed up for Karma, featuring an ensemble cast including Dilip Kumar, Nutan, Jackie Shroff, Naseeruddin Shah, and Sridevi. The film, which tells the story of a jailer avenging his family’s murder with the help of three death-row prisoners, further cemented their creative synergy.

The duo continued their streak with hits like Ram Lakhan, starring Jackie Shroff, Madhuri Dixit, and Amrish Puri. Later, in 1999, Anil Kapoor appeared in Ghai’s musical drama Taal as music producer Vikrant Kapoor, narrating a love story entwined with music and emotion, featuring Akshaye Khanna and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in pivotal roles. Their last cinematic collaboration was Yuvvraaj (2008), which also starred Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, and Zayed Khan.