Sooraj Barjatya credits Amitabh Bachchan for Uunchai: ‘I called up Bachchan sir jab…’
Sooraj Barjatya is one of Bollywood’s most esteemed filmmakers, celebrated for his heartfelt narratives that highlight family values, love, and tradition. With ‘Uunchai’, he ventured into new territory while remaining true to his signature style. He shared an anecdote about how Amitabh Bachchan joined the project, revealing that ‘Uunchai’ would not have been made if the actor had turned down the role.
Barjatya admitted that if Amitabh had declined the role in ‘Uunchai’, he wouldn’t have pursued the project further. Bachchan’s agreement was crucial, providing the film with its foundation and inspiring the ensemble cast. Talking to Bollywood Bubble, Sooraj discussed the challenges he faced while filming.
The filmmaker shared that he’d had the ‘Uunchai’ story since 2016 but never intended to direct it. However, during the pandemic, with limited opportunities, he saw it as a challenge to push himself as a filmmaker. While he knew the story had potential, the logistics of filming at Everest base camp with a large crew and medical personnel seemed daunting.
He shared that after Bachchan agreed to join ‘Uunchai’, the project moved forward with Anupam Kher and Boman Irani also coming on board. Despite concerns about the film needing a younger appeal, he decided to stay true to the original story.
‘Uunchai’ follows the story of three friends who embark on an adventurous journey to Everest Base Camp to fulfill the last wish of their deceased friend, Bhupen. Directed by Sooraj Barjatya, this adventure drama features a stellar cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Danny Denzongpa, Parineeti Chopra, Neena Gupta, and Sarika. The film explores themes of friendship and determination as the characters confront their physical limitations and discover deeper meanings in life. The movie was released on November 11, 2022.
