For Subhash Ghai, a lot was at stake when he set out to make Hero with a newcomer as the lead. As the cult film completes 40 years today, the filmmaker is glad that he decided to pursue his vision.

Starring Meenakshi Seshadri and debutant Jackie Shroff, the film narrates the story of a criminal’s transformation after he falls for the woman he kidnaps. “Hero was a very important film of my career. When I started working on the film, there was a lot at stake — from my money to my house,” says Ghai, revealing that he was advised by many to cast a big star in the lead. He adds, “Three distributors even backed out of the film for this reason. But, I was sure of casting a newcomer.”

From the intense love story to the soothing music, the film enjoys a cult following and has also been remade (Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty-starrer Hero in 2015). While Ghai has no intention of remaking it himself, he hints that he might take the story forward with a sequel.

“I never like to remake a film. I do let other producers remake it, but it’s a big no for me. If I have to, I will attempt a sequel of Hero and explore how the story of that transformed man takes forward. That is a bigger challenge for me. I will reveal all the details at a proper time. But, it is definitely an interesting prospect for me,” says the 78-year-old.

Along with Shroff, the film also marked late Saroj Khan’s first full-fledged film as a choreographer and introduced Anuradha Paudwal and Manhar Udhas as lead singers. Opening up about why he didn’t want to work with stars, the 78-year-old shares, “Hero happened after back-to-back failures — Gautam Govinda (1979) and Krodhi (1981). All the stars who wanted to work with me backed out because they wanted a hit director. I felt bad that they didn’t value talent, but box office. In retaliation, I did a film called Vidhaata (1982), which became a hit. Stars started calling me, but I decided to never make a film with big names,” he concludes.