SCALING NEW HEIGHTS
Filmfare|December 2022
Sooraj Barjatya has moved away from the marriage formula in his latest release Uunchai. Suman Sharma talks to the reticent filmmaker about his change of pace
SCALING NEW HEIGHTS

Sooraj Barjatya's movies are like much-loved wedding videos. You put them on wherever you're feeling low, run them from anywhere you like and they still keep you engaged and lift your spirits up. He mostly shot his films on grand sets, caring more for the ease and order of a closed set than the chaos of an outdoor shoot.

But he threw all his self-imposed restrictions out of the window while making Uunchai. The film, which starred Amitabh Bachchan, Boman Irani, Anupam Kher, Danny Denzongpa, Sarika, Neena Gupta and Parineeti Chopra, revolved around a group of 60-plus friends making a trek to the Everest Base Camp. It was marked by memorable performances and was well-liked by the family audience.

Excerpts from a tete-a-tete with the talented director, who took on a new challenge and succeeded.

You always make romantic family films with young actors. What inspired you to make Uunchai with older actors?

A writer came to me with a story in 2016, and its heading was "Death." When he read the story to me, I thought that this is what life is. At that time, I was busy writing a story with Salman Khan in mind. But then I realised I should make a film that is more personal to me. I made the film during COVID. I knew that this was not my style of story. I was in search of a good director who could make this film. All of a sudden, I realised that I wanted to make this film myself. There is no chiffon-clad heroine in Uunchai, there is no dance or drama.

But I wanted to write a story of courage. And I did not care whether the young crowd would come to see my film or not... I just had to make the film and I made it.

What was Amitabh Bachchan's reaction when he listened to this story?

Bu hikaye Filmfare dergisinin December 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Filmfare dergisinin December 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

FILMFARE DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
New beginnings
Filmfare

New beginnings

All that transpired at the press conference held to herald the 69th SOBHA Filmfare Awards South 2024 with Kamar Film Factory

time-read
2 dak  |
September 2024
Footprints of the Giants
Filmfare

Footprints of the Giants

It has been years since Hrishikesh Mukherjee left us, yet his words still resonate: Zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahi.

time-read
2 dak  |
October 2024
Shatrughan Sinha's Rapid fire
Filmfare

Shatrughan Sinha's Rapid fire

Any affair, especially an extramarital affair, should always be kept secret. Especially from your wife.

time-read
3 dak  |
October 2024
"I was the only heroine whose name sold films"
Filmfare

"I was the only heroine whose name sold films"

Hit machine Asha Parekh looks back at her life and times in a heartwarming chat with Farhana Farook

time-read
7 dak  |
October 2024
THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD
Filmfare

THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD

MAXIM BALDRY PLAYS ISILDUR, SHAPED BY JRR TOLKIEN AS A TRAGIC HERO. HE CONFIDES IN TANZIM PARDIWALLA ABOUT HOW TOLKIEN AND LOTR SHAPED HIS CINEMATIC JOURNEY

time-read
6 dak  |
October 2024
A CELEBRATION OF CULTURAL BONDS
Filmfare

A CELEBRATION OF CULTURAL BONDS

INDIAN CINEMA SHINES AT THE MOSCOW INTERNATIONAL FILM WEEK, REPORTS SUMAN SHARMA

time-read
2 dak  |
October 2024
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Filmfare

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

BRITISH ACTOR DANIEL CALTAGIRONE, WHO WAS RECENTLY SEEN IN THANGALAAN, TALKS WITH VEDANSHI PATHAK ABOUT WORKING IN INDIAN FILMS, BREAKING THE BRITISH ACTOR STEREOTYPE AND MORE...

time-read
5 dak  |
October 2024
ENTER THE VILLAIN
Filmfare

ENTER THE VILLAIN

Australian hottie Charlie Vickers has become an international sensation, thanks to his interpretation of Sauron from The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power series. Tanzim Pardiwalla notes down his charm as well as modesty

time-read
6 dak  |
October 2024
Follow the money
Filmfare

Follow the money

DEVESH SHARMA HIGHLIGHTS THE HIGHS OF BOLLYWOOD BOX OFFICE SO FAR IN 2024

time-read
6 dak  |
October 2024
ART OF THE MATTER
Filmfare

ART OF THE MATTER

AANAND L RAI TALKS ABOUT MAKING SEQUELS AND MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS IN A HEARTY CHAT WITH SUMAN SHARMA

time-read
7 dak  |
October 2024