He made his directorial debut with the young romance “Maine Pyaar Kiya” right after graduating from college and since then filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya says his films have reflected various stages of his life.
With “Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!” and “Vivah”, he explored marriage in different eras. He presented a nuanced take on broken relationships when he made a film like “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo”, several years after directing the idealistic family drama “Hum Saath Saath Hain”. “When I did ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya’ I was out of college, 21 or 22 years of age, and then got married and had two kids and you learn the value of friendship and you make ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!’.
“And then you lose a mother and you make ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’, when you realise the value of marriage you make ‘Vivah’ and then with ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ you realise that every family has problems, you cannot deny (it),” Barjatya, 57, told PTI in an interview.
Every director draws inspiration from the kind of life they have lived and he is no different, the filmmaker said.
“We always borrow from life. Creation comes from your own experiences. What I show in films is somewhat similar to my life but we show it in an aspirational way,” he added.
Barjatya’s upcoming release “Uunchai”, from a script penned by Sunil Gandhi, stems from the current chapter of his life.
The Hindi movie revolves around three friends, played by Amitabh Bachchan, Boman Irani, and Anupam Kher, who go on a trek to Mount Everest base camp to fulfil their late buddy (Danny Denzongpa)’s last wish. A father of three, Barjatya said since the definition of family and togetherness has evolved, it is important for his cinema to keep up with the times.
“Now family is all about allowing space to children, as parents we expect (something) from children but we should have something for ourselves to do.
“We have this film about 65 plus people, who take this trek to challenge themselves. They are leaving behind all the comfort. So, everything has been part of my life,” the director, who grew up in a Marwari film family, said.
With the boom of OTT medium and exposure to global cinema, the grammar of storytelling has undergone a sea of change more so in the past two years. But for Barjatya, rather than staying “relevant” in the film business, it is all about being honest to his calling.
“The moment I try to be relevant that will be my end. You need to be yourself, follow what you do as you will get your own audience. There is an audience for every genre and I know I am there for that genre (family dramas) and I am happy there. If I try to be relevant, I will be fake,” he added.
During the pandemic, Barjatya said he decided to challenge himself as a director with “Unnchai”, which unlike his previous films was shot at real locations across Delhi and parts of Nepal.
“I have never done this much outdoor, like going to 13,000 ft… You fall in love with all these visuals,” he said.
The director is grateful for his cast and crew, who trusted his vision, and followed him to the rough Himalayan terrain.
“We took all the (precautions) because the actors are aged but their motivation is amazing and they are ready to do their work,” he said.
“Unnchai” is scheduled to be released on November 11. Actors Neena Gupta, Sarika and Parineeti Chopra round out the cast of “Unnchai”.
(PTI)
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.