*Subhash Ghai Made Me'

'Being signed on as the leading man of Hero came to me like a bolt out of the blue.'

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Jackie Shroff's association with Subhash Ghai has flourished over an incredible 40 years. Ever since the filmmaker gave Jackie his first big break in Hero in 1983, the actor has scored some of his best performances under Ghai's direction. "Subhashji knew my bad points. He knew my good points. He always saw to it that my good points are highlighted,"

Subhash Ghai rang in his 80th birthday on January 24... what is your wish for the filmmaker who put you on the road to stardom?

Centurion ... that’s what I wish for him to be in cricketing terms. May he live to be a 100!

It’s unusual for an actor-director combination to survive over multiple decades. Jackie, why do you think your association with Subhash Ghai has continued?

Whatever I am today, he kind of made me through his talents as a director, writer, editor. He has been my mentor. But ours is more than an actor-director relationship; he is more like a family member. He is like my elder brother. It was easy for us to go through eight films together because there was no conflict, just affection, respect and love for each other. There was never any question of our association not lasting for a long time.

How did your relationship evolve from Hero to Karma to Ram Lakhan to Khalnayak to Yaadein and beyond?

Nothing changed. I used to go on his sets like a student and learn the craft from the master, simple. I didn’t try and behave like some learned actor or a teacher. I just kept my ears open and followed my director to the T. We had a tuning, we had an understanding. He knew my bad points. He knew my good points. He always saw to it that my good points are highlighted.

Do you remember the turn of events which led to Subhash Ghai signing you for Hero (1983)?