Celebrated filmmaker Subhash Ghai criticized the influence of big studios on modern cinema, attributing the lack of creativity and passion to financial pressures. Speaking at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, Ghai reflected on the making of his iconic film Taal as it marked its 25th anniversary.

Ghai lamented that directors today are constrained by the financial expectations of studios, which diminishes their creative focus. He highlighted how being free from such pressures during Taal allowed him to craft a film celebrated for its seamless harmony of music, acting, and visuals.

The 1999 film, starring Aishwarya Rai, Anil Kapoor, and Akshaye Khanna, was a trailblazer in Indian cinema. It was the first Indian film to feature in Variety‘s top 20 box-office list and set new benchmarks for marketing by pre-selling music and broadcast rights.

Credit: This article is based on information from IFFI’s official statement and media reports.

Key Highlights:

• Subhash Ghai emphasized how Taal symbolized artistic freedom and the power of creative storytelling.
• Anil Kapoor and Saurabh Shukla lauded Ghai’s visionary filmmaking in video messages.
• The film’s theme revolved around love’s purity versus materialism, mirroring the seven musical notes.