The Barjatyas’ Rajshri office at Prabhadevi is buzzing with activity. Every wall seems to be lined with posters of the production company’s newest offering Vivah with its lead actors Shahid Kapur and Amrita Rao.
In a far corner of the office, the film’s director, the extremely shy Sooraj Barjatya is doing a telephonic interview. Just when we enter his room after taking off our footwear, we overhear his conversation with the journalist at the other end about morality in films.
Barjatya’s opinion: “One may indulge in amoral behaviour, but if he or she accepts it and is sorry about it then it’s acceptable but if they instead justify it saying it is right then there is a problem.”
It’s evident from his conversation that the young director is all for upholding Indian values. His reason is simple: “My grandfather, Tarachand Barjatya, started this banner to make clean, healthy, wholesome films. Honestly, there are so many stories waiting to be told in the family genre. The day I feel I have exhausted myself with the stories I want to tell in this genre, I will make a different kind of film.”
From engagement to marriage says the tagline of Vivah. “Yes, it’s an interesting phase in somebody’s life whose marriage is being arranged. Imagine two people are engaged and then they fall in love with the permission of their elders. It’s beautiful — what you call ek maryadit prem or love within limits."
He further adds, "Shahid is Prem a young carefree boy from Delhi, who is engaged to Poonam (Amrita) from Mathura. She belongs to a small town, cultured family so much so unke yahan paani ko paani nahin, jal kehte hain. It’s about these two people, who have been brought up in different ways, get together to make a beautiful relationship during their six month courtship is what the film is about.”
The conflict comes in the form of an incident that occurs just one day before the marriage. But then in true Barjatya tradition, the lovers emerge triumphant.
That the maker of films like Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Hum Saath Saath Hain is a strong advocate of marriage reflects in his work and beliefs.
He further adds, "Shahid is Prem a young carefree boy from Delhi, who is engaged to Poonam (Amrita) from Mathura. She belongs to a small town, cultured family so much so unke yahan paani ko paani nahin, jal kehte hain. It’s about these two people, who have been brought up in different ways, get together to make a beautiful relationship during their six month courtship is what the film is about.”
The conflict comes in the form of an incident that occurs just one day before the marriage. But then in true Barjatya tradition, the lovers emerge triumphant.
That the maker of films like Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Hum Saath Saath Hain is a strong advocate of marriage reflects in his work and beliefs.