150219-TH-M-8-Redefining the Indian Family
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Redefining the Indian family An introvert at heart, filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya on producing ‘younger films’ 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 filmmaker 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 film 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 films 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 efforts 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 film.” In recent years, least talk. We can’t say we want to the shy filmmaker 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 films, Barjatya casion was for a film 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- film, which centres not on family him a shot. The film is inspired by sion and the only thing one has is fice, but was widely panned by but friends, and is written and di- Dixit’s own life experiences as a family — which Barjatya defines critics. rected by debutant filmmaker 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 difficult 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 film 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 filmmaker. miracles happen, we have made always delved into a diverse pool gage not just the grandparents “I am making a real film,” he 58 films. 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-office success has sters”. “How can I say something Kanpur, Hum Chaar is about a Mithun [Chakraborty], Naseerud- largely been restricted to their [in my films] like Raju [Rajkumar group of four friends, medical din Shah, Madhuri [Dixit], Bha- trademark family film. Hirani] or Gauri [Shinde] says,” students from different places in gyashree, Salman”. The filmmak- 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 fight 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 fit the film into Chaar is a “small film” with a new you stand out”, and not just in ci- shows in Hindi. With Hum Chaar, Rajshri’s family-oriented frame- director and first-time music di- nema but in any field and sphere slated to release this weekend, work? Dixit said to him confident- rector. The filmmaker emphasis- of life. What’s next for Barjatya, Barjatya is up to something pro- ly, “You make family films but es, the film still has the “marm”, after his stint as producer? A film misingly different. The filmmaker 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 film that is perfect for the will begin scripting this summer. .