Sooraj Barjatya reveals he made many of his heroines cry on set: ‘You can ask Bhagyashree, I used to yell and shout…’
Filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya is known for creating evergreen family dramas in Bollywood. He made his Bollywood debut with the 1989 blockbuster ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya‘ and went on to craft some of the most memorable films in Indian cinema, including ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun’, ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’, and ‘Vivah‘.
In a recent conversation, Barjatya opened up about his working style and the long gaps between his projects. He admitted to being highly meticulous, overseeing every detail before a film goes on floors.
In an interview with Komal Nahta on his YouTube channel, Sooraj shared that he had made a lot of heroines cry on set when he started his career. “You can ask Bhagyashree. I used to yell and shout. Then I realised work happens where there is love and calmness. But I prepare a lot. I read my narrations at least 200 times to myself,” he stated.
The filmmaker shared that he wanted to see every costume and every prop before shooting. Being extremely strict and thoroughly prepared makes his films take longer to complete. Unlike many filmmakers who adopt a more fluid approach, Barjatya follows a rigid preparation process.
He admires the immersive storytelling of Raj Kapoor’s films and prioritises detailed planning over box office numbers. Unlike directors such as Sanjay Leela Bhansali or Mani Ratnam, who focus on grand visuals, Barjatya considers himself a storyteller who meticulously oversees every creative decision, from dialogues to picturisation. His hands-on approach and insistence on thorough preparation contribute to the long gaps between his films.
Sooraj acknowledges directors who can improvise scripts on set but admits he is not one of them. He prefers meticulous planning and feels uneasy if anything deviates from the original plan. Given that he often works with large ensemble casts, he ensures that every character’s role is well-defined and structured, maintaining strict control over the filmmaking process.
