Redefining the Indian family

An introvert at heart, filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya on producing ‘younger films’ with the Rajshri touch

:: Rutwij Nakhwa studio’s existing audience and yet Family man: Filmmaker Sooraj reaches beyond with its unique Barjatya; (below) The cast of Hum voice. “It doesn’t have my stamp,” Mid-conversation, while describ- Chaar * DINESH PARAB; SPECIAL he says with pride, but also adds, ing himself filmmaker Sooraj Bar- ARRANGEMENT “friendship is also a beautiful jatya suddenly gives up, proclaim- rishta”. ing, “Apne baare mein what to speak,” needlessly adding, “I Ramayana prism think I am shy.” In an era of chest- This year, Hum Saath Saath Hai, thumping and mic-drops, Barja- a film with tremendous cross-gen- tya is not famous for his extrover- erational recall, completes 25 sion. “From the very beginning, I years, while Maine Pyaar Kia have been shy or not comforta- which launched Khan is three de- ble,” proving his words as he cades old. Barjatya’s films are not spoke them. For Barjatya, “work” simply a celebration of family life is what is the most important. He but also expressive of deep nos- prefers to spend his time observ- talgia and longing for it. Barjatya ing and talking to people, and says, “You can’t just start staying he’s at, “every marriage and func- together again,” but one should tion” doing just that. He’s also a take efforts to nourish and main- self-professed avid reader. All of tain whatever ties that remain — this, for him, is a director’s “main “jitna rishta rakhte hai we should homework.” celebrate it. We should meet in Di- In a modest fashion he confess- wali, marriages, birthdays, anni- es, “I am trying to learn. Growing versaries — forget and forgive — at with every film.” In recent years, least talk. We can’t say we want to the shy filmmaker has at least live like Ramayan, but if you take been doing the mandatory pre-re- one step so will the other.” lease interviews. The last such oc- Through his films, Barjatya casion was for a film that he had urges us to at least try to “trust” directed and scripted himself, the each other. Today, across genera- Salman Khan sleeper-hit, Prem tions, people are increasingly Ratan Dhan Payo (2015) which faced with loneliness and depres- made ₹194 crores at the box of- film, which centres not on family him a shot. The film is inspired by sion and the only thing one has is fice, but was widely panned by but friends, and is written and di- Dixit’s own life experiences as a family — which Barjatya defines critics. rected by debutant filmmaker migrant from Lucknow in Mum- liberally to include friends, in- Today at 54, Barjatya has learnt Abhishek Dixit. Barjatya explains, bai where he is now based. Living laws, spouses, and extended fa- to be more accepting of criticism, “I have been hunting for a subject far from home, he could seldom mily, anyone worthy of the title. which in his younger days would where we could tell our little va- go back, and friends became a In a way, this is Rajshri’s core es- upset him. “Today, I take it in my lues from a young[er] point of support system. When you are sence which has “always worked stride,” he says. His mantra: “To view, which is difficult for me. I away there is a formality that for us right from 1962”. each his own.” Although Barja- know my audience is 35+ and builds up even between family Barjatya’s other appeal is to be tya’s own oeuvre has been res- when a youngster comes, it is to members, but to your friend, you honest with oneself, “everything tricted to Salman Khan starrers show his grandparents a film he can say “Abbe char-sau de na is about niyat” because of which and sanskari family dramas, as a knows they will enjoy.” Yet, with (just lend me some money, ya),” “over these 30 years, I have seen studio, Rajshri Productions has Hum Chaar, Barjatya wants to en- explains the filmmaker. miracles happen, we have made always delved into a diverse pool gage not just the grandparents “I am making a real film,” he 58 films. My father launched Rak- of genres, directors and sub- but the accompanying “young- claims. Set and shot in Noida and hee [Gulzar], Jaya [Bachchan], jects. But box-office success has sters”. “How can I say something Kanpur, Hum Chaar is about a Mithun [Chakraborty], Naseerud- largely been restricted to their [in my films] like Raju [Rajkumar group of four friends, medical din Shah, Madhuri [Dixit], Bha- trademark family film. Hirani] or Gauri [Shinde] says,” students from different places in gyashree, Salman”. The filmmak- he asked himself, and the answer Uttar Pradesh and North India, er warns us that faking Sign of the times fortuitously came when Dixit nar- who have a fight but ultimately appearances “will not take you Since 2010, apart from Prem Ra- rated his story. realise that all they have is each anywhere, just be yourself … your tan Dhan Paayo, the studio has Still, the question remained — other. By Rajshri standards, Hum work and your honesty will make been primarily busy making TV how could Dixit fit the film into Chaar is a “small film” with a new you stand out”, and not just in ci- shows in Hindi. With Hum Chaar, Rajshri’s family-oriented frame- director and first-time music di- nema but in any field and sphere slated to release this weekend, work? Dixit said to him confident- rector. The filmmaker emphasis- of life. What’s next for Barjatya, Barjatya is up to something pro- ly, “You make family films but es, the film still has the “marm”, after his stint as producer? A film misingly different. The filmmaker friends are also family” and Barja- the sensitivity and sensibility of a with Khan of course, which he turns producer for the upcoming tya was intrigued enough to give Rajshri film that is perfect for the will begin scripting this summer.