I was burdened by expectations: Sooraj Barjatya
February 22, 2011
by Noyon Jyoti Parasara
Rajshri Productions have been one of the most recognized names in Bollywood. The company has been making movies for almost 50 years now and has a catalogue of 53 movies to their credit. These include timeless hits such as Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hai Kaun, Hum Saath Saath Hai and Vivaah from director Sooraj Barjatya. As the director-producer completes 46 years on February 22, we speak to him about his films, his banner, and why is not directing films right now.
What is Rajshri production coming up with this year?
We have two more films coming up. The first is Love you Mr Kalakar, which stars Tusshar Kapoor and Amrita Rao. It is being directed by a new director from FTII called S. Manasvi. Then we have an experimental film by Sachin Pilgaonkar. It’s called Jaana Pehchaana and is a sequel to our film Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se. The story of the film goes back and forth in time.
The production house seems to be dabbling with different topics, something you also did with Isi Life Mein… Is Rajshri trying to go for a rebranding?
Not really. But yes our next films are our stepping stone into doing something different.
The films that you are making right now are more with newcomers. Is there any belief that you associate?
Making a film with newcomers has its benefits. If you take a star then you have to be able to handle him. Stars may come, not come or come late and you have to be able to handle all of it. We have never thought about taking stars because they will give me a good opening.
But then you always made films with a stars like Salman and Hrithik Roshan…
At some point I was also burdened by huge money and turnovers. The fact is that my film was the only film that would come out of Rajshri every few years and I had to deliver a hit. And I had the artists ready to work with me! Hence I never got out of it. Now that we are making more movies there is more scope to experiment.
Does that mean that Salman will not be a part of your next directorial venture. Also when are you making your next film?
Right now I have some other things in my mind. When I make my next film it will be with Salman only. But I will make it only when I don’t have anything to worry about!
All your films except Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon have worked. Why do you think that film failed?
When I made Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon I had gone wrong as I never lived that life that I showed. It is very important to live that life or know that live so that it comes to him naturally. I never consciously made films about marriages and families. Actually that is the life I have seen. If I have to make a youthful film, I will find it difficult.
Does that mean you would never make an action film?
I have never handled a knife what will I make an action film. I did action in Maine Pyar Kiya but I was not comfortable. And there are so many stories in families.
What do you have to say about the new-age films and directors?
I loved Dev D as an audience. I think Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee and Vishal Bhardwaj are wonderful. They have their own outlook and these films are taking the industry forward. People used to say these are niche products and won’t work but the fact is that such films have found an audience. As a director however I cannot make such a film. My favourite film in recent times remains Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.
What is the status of the film Tansen? Is it shelved?
Tansen is one of our most prestigious movies. But there is a lot of research to be done and there is a huge budget involved. So we are waiting for a correct time to start. It will have all the ragas and Ravindra Jain has worked very hard on it. Satish Kaushik will direct it. It has just been postponed as the times are not right for such a budget. It will be 50 crore plus film.
Television today is quite regressive. How do you manage to keep the image of Rajshri clean in such scenario?
It’s true that TV is completely opposite of what we make in films. At Rajshri we have tried never to get into the regressive mould. We have always made shows where we can show goodness. We have even let go off quite a few shows as they didn’t match up to our standards. At times the chance of making money out of such shows did attract us but then we have our audience. Even in films there are projects which cross the limits of vulgarity. Good and bad is everywhere. TV is good for us as there are so many middleclass households who cannot afford to watch films at the theatres. So TV provides this audience with entertainment and we would like to cater to such an audience.
(They say there is no art as collaborative as filmmaking. Ticketplease introduces a special segment where we invite artistes and behind-the-scenes skilled technicians to converse about their craft.)