Legendary director Subhash Ghai stepped into the spotlight on Indian Idol, reuniting with actress Meenakshi Seshadri – his celebrated ‘shishya’ – and aide Rakesh Bakshi for a guru-shishya themed extravaganza. The episode highlighted Ghai’s pivotal role in shaping Bollywood icons and paid homage to lyricist Anand Bakshi’s golden contributions.
Ghai’s Instagram updates captured the electric atmosphere: ‘What fun at Indian Idol Tuesday! Guru-Shishya theme with my prized student Meenakshi Seshadri and Rakesh Bakshi.’ Contestants channeled the soul of Ghai’s classics, singing from Karz (1980) to Taal (1999), including Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Saudagar, and Khalnayak. Anand Bakshi penned these perennials, plus gems for Gautam Govinda, Kranti, Meri Jung, and Prem Deewane.
Stars Shreya Ghoshal and Badshah judged the renditions, blending critique with celebration. Ghai invited viewers: ‘Entertainment alert – catch the show and relish it all.’
From directing era-defining films to launching talents like Meenakshi, Ghai’s career is a cornerstone of Indian cinema. His Whistling Woods International continues this mission, with students recently unveiling Rocketship’s trailer – a promising short film awaiting official release.
Ghai’s foray into reality TV not only thrilled audiences but also reignited appreciation for the mentor-mentee dynamics that built Bollywood’s finest moments.