There was a time when director Sooraj Barjatya’s films brought families together. Much like the male characters in his movies, who were typically named ‘Prem’, the films too focused on love stories and upholding family values. The 62-year-old is credited to some award-winning romantic comedies, including Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994), Hum Saath - Saath Hain (1999) and Vivaah (2006). But now, the director believes that similar films, featuring women, playing stereotypical roles of a naive homemaker, would not impress the audience, as the attention has shifted to powerful female-oriented characters.
Hum Aapke Hain Koun director Sooraj Barjatya on changing family narratives
Sooraj Barjatya, in a conversation with Hindustan Times, revealed that storytelling must evolve with the present generation. Previously, women were depicted as docile, mostly taking care of their husband, children and in-laws, confined to the four walls of their home. Times have, however, changed now. According to him, such narratives have become outdated, reflecting orthodox social structures.
To explain the matter in detail, the director took the example of his romantic family drama Hum Aapke Hain Koun. He shared that recreating a family dynamic resembling the plot of the movie does not feel realistic now. With nuclear units dominating society, no one lives under the same roof, as shown in the Salman Khan-Madhuri Dixit movie. Although lifestyles are becoming diverse, what remains the same are the core values like love, respect and familial bonds, emphasized Barjatya.
Women in cinema and legacy of Hum Aapke Hain Koun
The director also disclosed that his film sets today have significantly more women working across multiple departments than men. Comparing it to the past, Sooraj Barjatya said that it was a major shift in the film industry, recalling that when he began his career, women who were present on the sets were largely limited to actresses, their mothers or hairdressers. Barjatya admired how a woman’s presence on the shooting sets impacts the environment positively, heaping praise on the female perspective of looking at things in a new light with fresh ideas.
Hum Aapke Hain Koun was India's highest-grossing film for over a decade. The movie centred around the love story between Prem (Salman Khan) and Nisha (Madhuri Dixit), whose lives took a dramatic turn after the death of a loved one. The tragedy tests their family bonds, ultimately celebrating the power of love, sacrifice and togetherness within a close-knit household. Sooraj Barjatya’s latest television serial directorial, Sangamarmar, starring Sourabh Raaj Jain and Sheen Savita Dass, is currently streaming on JioHotstar.
Hum Aapke Hain Koun director Sooraj Barjatya on changing family narratives
Sooraj Barjatya, in a conversation with Hindustan Times, revealed that storytelling must evolve with the present generation. Previously, women were depicted as docile, mostly taking care of their husband, children and in-laws, confined to the four walls of their home. Times have, however, changed now. According to him, such narratives have become outdated, reflecting orthodox social structures.A moment from Sooraj Barjatya’s film.
To explain the matter in detail, the director took the example of his romantic family drama Hum Aapke Hain Koun. He shared that recreating a family dynamic resembling the plot of the movie does not feel realistic now. With nuclear units dominating society, no one lives under the same roof, as shown in the Salman Khan-Madhuri Dixit movie. Although lifestyles are becoming diverse, what remains the same are the core values like love, respect and familial bonds, emphasized Barjatya.
Women in cinema and legacy of Hum Aapke Hain Koun
The director also disclosed that his film sets today have significantly more women working across multiple departments than men. Comparing it to the past, Sooraj Barjatya said that it was a major shift in the film industry, recalling that when he began his career, women who were present on the sets were largely limited to actresses, their mothers or hairdressers. Barjatya admired how a woman’s presence on the shooting sets impacts the environment positively, heaping praise on the female perspective of looking at things in a new light with fresh ideas. Hum Aapke Hain Koun was India's highest-grossing film for over a decade. The movie centred around the love story between Prem (Salman Khan) and Nisha (Madhuri Dixit), whose lives took a dramatic turn after the death of a loved one. The tragedy tests their family bonds, ultimately celebrating the power of love, sacrifice and togetherness within a close-knit household. Sooraj Barjatya’s latest television serial directorial, Sangamarmar, starring Sourabh Raaj Jain and Sheen Savita Dass, is currently streaming on JioHotstar.
