DLD‹‰‰†‰KDLD‹‰‰†‰DLD‹‰‰†‰MDLD‹‰‰†‰C A shock for Hollywood Britney admits to drug use Oops, Britney Spears has ken cocaine in the toilet of Kid Rock: Pam calling: Bebo admitted to having da- a Miami nightclub. Now, THE TIMES OF INDIA bbled in drugs, qualif- of course, the star her- Sunday, dates Durst goes global! ying that it was ‘‘a big self has chosen to co- June 29, 2003 mistake.’’ Not daring me clean. Page 7 Page 8 to actually use the A less shocking word ‘drugs’, Britn- revelation is that Brit- ey explains, ‘‘Let’s ney likes to drink — just say you reach a her favourite tipple stage in your life is ‘‘Malibu and pine- when you are curio- apple juice.’’ But us. And I was curio- she denies cheating us at one point. But on Justin Timberla- I’m way too focused ke and says she was to let anything stop ‘‘shocked’’ to see a Br- me.’’ So,was it a mis- itney-lookalike in his take? ‘‘Yes.’’ video Cry Me a River, Interestingly, not which tells the story too long back, Britney of a woman cheat- maintained that she ing on her boyfriend. OF INDIA would ‘‘sue’’ a US But then, strange things magazine which had happen when love’s lab- THANK GOD IT’S SUNDAY alleged that she had ta- our is lost. Photos: RONJOY GOGOI MANOJ KESHARWANI SOORAJ BARJATYA: THE BIG PICTURE My family was my world: My ng around, my mother decided earliest memories date back to SUNDAY SPECIAL that I needed to get married im- a home full of uncles, aunts and mediately. I was introduced to cousins. Ours was a joint Mar- Into opulence born, but Vineeta — she was the first girl wari family in Mumbai, where tempered by a conservative I had met formally.I was 21, she I was born on February 22, 1965 upbringing; a movie-making was 18, and we got down to talk- to Raj Kumar and Sudha Barja- inheritance which was his by ing. I told her that I had nothing tya. I was a quiet boy and prefe- right, but almost denied; to a but a dream to do well in the fi- rred the company of my moth- legacy born, but the author of lm industry. Vineeta liked my er,sister Chanda, and bua to pl- honesty and I fell for her innoc- aying football. I was often bulli- his own destiny. The lap of ence. We were married in 1986. ed by other male cousins. I gr- luxury has cushioned his path, Back then, even I didn’t know ew up witnessing grand functi- but this 38-year-old, who has whether I would make it, but ons and wedding ceremonies in delivered some of the biggest Vineeta gave me the courage to the family.The opulence shown hits in Bollywood history, has dream further. in my films is based on my imp- charted his own course and, en Maine Pyar Kiya saved our ressions as a child. route, survived the potholes of business: When I made Maine There was no filmi influence Pyaar Kiya, video-piracy was at at home: Our family was activ- the road he has taken. Sooraj its peak. At the back of my mi- ely involved in film-distributi- Barjatya tells DIVYA VASISHT nd was the thought that the film on. But there were never any what makes him a success story had to be presented with such parties at home and neither do and the man he wants to be grandeur that viewers would I recall any film star visiting us. be compelled to watch it at the- My grandfather Tarachand Barjatya, who established Rajshri Pictures on Au- atres. It was a make or break film for Rajshri; but I was con- gust 15, 1947, believed in avoiding interaction with the film world. So, in a fident that my hard work would pay off. The success of Ma- way,mine was a sheltered upbringing. ine Pyaar Kiya worked wonders for our sinking business. I was a nobody at school: I doubt whether my teachers at St Mary’s wo- My films are true to life: I have lived every moment of uld even remember me! I was a mediocre student and never participa- Hum Aapke Hain Kaun. Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon is ted in dramatics, sports or extra-curricular activities. I rarely studied, inspired by an incident involving my niece. I don’t need perhaps because I knew that our family was financially-secure. My fat- to look outside for story ideas. There is so much happ- her expected me to study,but he laid more emphasis on family values. ening around us that being observant is all it takes. My father’s intervention got me into college: The marks I secured My mother’s death shook my world: Shortly after in my class X exams were so low that I didn’t merit admission to a HAHK was completed, my mother succumbed to decent college. Still, my father took me to the reputed HR College cancer after months of suffering. Her death ca- and requested the principal to consider my case. I finally got adm- me right in front of my eyes. I had the resourc- ission because he pushed my case, but this proved to be a turning es, the money,the doctors... but nothing helped point in my life. I promised myself that I would never force my fat- save her. My mother’s death changed my life — her to do something like this for me again. I studied day and night there was no celebration even though HAHK was — and became the college topper! a blockbuster hit. This frame of mind is reflected in Financial lows forced a rethink: I had started enjoying acad- Hum Saath Saath Hain, which is full of sad emotions. emics and wanted to continue. But around this time, we began to The film did average business, but I realised that it is face constant losses. We were going through a really bad patch, wi- important not to mingle one’s personal emotions in th our productions Shish, Saraswati, Saawan Ko Aane films. Come what may,life has to go on. Do and Saanch Ko Aanch Nahi not doing well. Th- I have no friends as such: I have few ‘real’ friends in ere was a lot of insecurity at home and, feeling that the film industry.People complain that I don’t socialise or directors were not making films as passio- seek the limelight, but I don’t miss not being close to peo- nately as my father expected them to, I sug- ple outside the family.I have a strong family ties; ma- gested that I would become a director. ybe because I am a traditionalist at heart. Nobody wanted me to join films: On he- God has given me more than I asked for: I see aring of my decision, my father was firm in myself in my elder son Devansh, 13, who wan- saying ‘no’. Still, I wrote to my grandfather, ts to become a film-maker.He loves being on saying that my making movies would help the sets and I encourage him. My younger the family business. All hell broke loose! My son Avnish, 10, is business-minded. My five- mother couldn’t understand why her 20-year-old year-old daughter Isha is the light of my life. ‘sensitive’ son wanted to take such a risk. After I would like to bring up my children like I ha- much cajoling, I was allowed to join the movies. ve been brought up. I will let them do what they Raj Kapoor is my inspiration: I grew up wa- want to. Tomorrow, if Isha wants to become an tching Raj Kapoor’s films and was in awe of actress, she is free to pursue her choice. his camera angles and style. I have also been Man makes his own destiny: Success comes IN GOOD STANDING: The heroine of The Hero with an Andaaz all her own, influenced by Mahesh Bhatt’s Saransh. I appr- with being honest to one’s dreams and self. I am Priyanka Chopra shows Delhi Times what it takes to bowl Bollywood over oached Bhatt saab and said I wanted to be his not superstitious. I believe in karma. I don’t ne- (To send this photograph to a friend, log on to www.timescity.com/delhi/) assistant. I was given odd jobs and was even a ed more money than I can gainfully utilise. clap-boy.Bhatt saab told me that to be a good Had I been money-hungry,I would have made movie-maker, I needed to be a good script- a film each year.I want to be fair to myself and writer.I took to writing and read numerous viewers. I go by what the Quran Sharif says: magazines to broaden my perspective. one reaps the results of one’s deeds. I believe For Priyanka,even the I fell for Vineeta’s innocence: The minute that as you sow, so shall you reap. I stepped into the film industry and started movi- AJIT NINAN [email protected] Asambhav is possible! Never say forever! APARNA GUPTA na Miss World title just didn’t give me time Times News Network to pursue this career. Psychology was the ANUBHA SAWHNEY findings. ‘‘Most people learn to fall next best thing as the way shrinks read mi- Times News Network in love because they feel the other ccolades. Recognition.