Subhash Ghai hails Modi at BRICS 2026: 'Only he can do it'
Synopsis
Filmmaker Subhash Ghai took to Instagram to praise PM Modi during BRICS 2026, declaring 'Only he can do it' alongside summit photographs — while also reviving the little-known story of how a 2009 breakfast meeting with Modi as Gujarat CM fast-tracked the creation of Whistling Woods International.
Key Takeaways
Subhash Ghai posted an Instagram tribute to PM Narendra Modi on 13 September 2026 , marking BRICS 2026 .
Ghai wrote: 'Only he can do it' — sharing summit photographs of Modi with world leaders.
The filmmaker also recalled how Modi , as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2009 , swiftly backed the idea for Whistling Woods International .
During a 2009 breakfast meeting in Gujarat , Modi asked Ghai simply, 'What do you need?' — and supported his request for land for the film institute.
A video of Ghai's account of the 2009 visit had previously circulated via the Modi Story social media handle.
Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai has publicly praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his global stature on the occasion of BRICS 2026, saying that world leaders hold the Prime Minister in deep respect. Ghai shared his admiration on Instagram on 13 September 2026, posting photographs of Modi interacting with delegates at the summit.
What Ghai Said
In his Instagram post, Ghai wrote, 'Only he can do it. Love begets love. Smiles create positive energies N our history has proved that only positivity can terminate negativity n grow humanity in this world. Why we shud not be proud of our Prime minister sh Modi where every president n premiers respect him we love him Congratulations Brics 2026.' The post accompanied images of Prime Minister Modi meeting and engaging with fellow heads of state and delegates at the summit.
Ghai and Modi: A Long-Standing Connection
This is not the first time Ghai has publicly acknowledged his regard for the Prime Minister. Last month, the director — best known for films such as Taal — recalled how Modi, then serving as Chief Minister of Gujarat, had enthusiastically backed his vision for Whistling Woods International back in 2009. Ghai had initially braced for bureaucratic resistance but was reportedly surprised by the speed and warmth with which Modi responded to the idea.
According to Ghai's account, he visited Gujarat at Modi's invitation and was hosted for breakfast at the Chief Minister's residence. During that meeting, Ghai made the case that education without an artistic dimension cannot lead to holistic human development, and that cinema has a unique role to play in that process. Modi reportedly responded by asking simply, 'What do you need?' — prompting Ghai to request land well-connected enough for faculty to commute easily. The institute subsequently received the necessary support and went on to become one of India's premier film schools.
BRICS 2026 in Context
The BRICS 2026 summit has drawn heads of state and senior officials from across the bloc, with India participating as a founding member. Prime Minister Modi's interactions on the sidelines and in plenary sessions have drawn attention both domestically and internationally. Ghai's post reflects a broader pattern of cultural figures expressing pride in India's diplomatic visibility on such multilateral platforms.
Notably
A video of Ghai recounting the 2009 Gujarat visit had earlier been shared by the social media handle Modi Story, bringing the anecdote to a wider audience before his latest Instagram post. The filmmaker's consistent public endorsement of Modi — spanning policy appreciation to geopolitical pride — positions him among a segment of India's film fraternity that has been openly supportive of the current government.
Point of View
Not a substantive take on BRICS outcomes or India's diplomatic positioning. The more interesting thread is the Whistling Woods anecdote: it illustrates how cultural infrastructure decisions can hinge on personal access to political leadership, a dynamic that raises legitimate questions about institutional process. The story also highlights a recurring pattern where Bollywood figures offer public support to the ruling dispensation — a trend that merits scrutiny rather than simple amplification.
NationPress
13 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Subhash Ghai say about PM Modi at BRICS 2026?
Subhash Ghai posted on Instagram on 13 September 2026 praising PM Narendra Modi on the occasion of BRICS 2026, writing 'Only he can do it' alongside photographs of Modi interacting with world leaders at the summit. He expressed pride in the Prime Minister's global standing.
What is the connection between Subhash Ghai and Whistling Woods International?
Subhash Ghai founded Whistling Woods International, one of India's leading film and media institutes. He has credited PM Modi — then Chief Minister of Gujarat — with swiftly supporting the project in 2009, providing land after a single breakfast meeting, which helped the institute get off the ground quickly.
When did Subhash Ghai meet PM Modi regarding Whistling Woods?
Ghai visited Gujarat in 2009 at Modi's invitation and was hosted for breakfast at his official residence. During the meeting, Modi asked 'What do you need?' and Ghai requested land for the institute, which was subsequently arranged.
Has Subhash Ghai praised PM Modi before?
Yes. Last month, Ghai publicly recalled his 2009 encounter with Modi and the role it played in establishing Whistling Woods International. A video of his account had been shared by the social media handle Modi Story, drawing renewed attention to the filmmaker's long-standing admiration for the Prime Minister.
