All posts tagged: Sooraj

Exclusive: Sooraj Barjatya on Collaborating With Salman Khan Again: “We Have to Wait…”

Exclusive: Sooraj Barjatya on Collaborating With Salman Khan Again: “We Have to Wait…”

Published by Parlour News

The collaborations between Sooraj Barjatya and Salman Khan have shaped some of Hindi cinema’s most beloved family entertainers. Their partnership began with Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), which established Salman as a romantic hero and revived the musical love story format. They reunited for Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994). It was a cultural phenomenon that redefined the Bollywood wedding film, followed by Hum Saath‑Saath Hain (1999) and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015). Across these films, Salman’s recurring “Prem” persona, as an earnest, family-oriented and idealistic man, became central to Barjatya’s signature world of warmth, tradition and wholesome romance. During an exclusive interview with Filmfare, we got the opportunity to ask the filmmaker whether a possible collaboration with his favourite “Prem”, aka Salman Khan is on the cards. When asked about if fans can expect a film soon, he said, “Nothing as of now. We have to wait for the correct time.” However, while answering another question about his career trajectory, Barjatya opened up if he had a formula in choosing the right actors for the right …

Sooraj Barjatya says Hum Aapke Hain Koun cannot be made today

Sooraj Barjatya says Hum Aapke Hain Koun cannot be made today

Published by Webster

The treatment of female characters in mainstream Hindi cinema has evolved over the years. From being just supporting roles to leading roles. Filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya recently opened up about the same, saying his own stories are a testament of how women have transitioned from being just homemakers in the 90s to being career-oriented working women now. Sooraj Barjatya says Hum Aapke Hain Koun cannot be made today For the unversed, Barjatya’s new show, Sangamarmar, starring Sheen Savita Dass, shows a woman taking over her father’s business after his untimely death. Talking about the story, the filmmaker told Hindustan Times, “Where stories are concerned, agar main aaj bhi sochoon ki ghar pe baithengi ladies (the women will sit at home), that is over. You cannot make a Hum Aapke Hain Koun where everybody lives together, because it’s not possible today. But the values remain the same.” Hum Aapke Hain Koun is Barjatya`s most successful film. Released in 1994, it went on to become India`s highest-grossing film for over a decade. The film narrates the story of …

Sooraj Barjatya says you can no longer make films where ‘women just sit at home’: Hum Aapke Hain Koun doesn’t work today

Sooraj Barjatya says you can no longer make films where ‘women just sit at home’: Hum Aapke Hain Koun doesn’t work today

Published by Webster

A lot has been said and written about the treatment of female characters in mainstream Hindi cinema. From being relegated to supporting roles to leading roles, female protagonists have been portrayed in diverse ways in Bollywood films. But with time, even in family-oriented films, the depiction has evolved. Filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya says his own stories are a litmus test, where women have transitioned from being just homemakers in the 90s to being career-oriented working women now. Renuka Shahane with Salman Khan in Hum Aapke Hain Koun, directed by Sooraj Barjatya. Sooraj Barjatya on depiction of women in Indian films Barjatya’s new show, Sangamarmar, stars Sheen Savita Dass as a woman taking over her father’s business after his untimely death. Talking about the story, the filmmaker tells Hindustan Times, “Where stories are concerned, agar main aaj bhi sochoon ki ghar pe baithengi ladies (the women will sit at home), that is over. You cannot make a Hum Aapke Hain Koun where everybody lives together, because it’s not possible today. But the values remain the same.” Hum …

Sooraj Barjatya’s Prem and Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Kabir Singh are ‘two sides of the same coin’, says director: ‘Itna pyaar to kare koi’ | Bollywood News

Sooraj Barjatya’s Prem and Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Kabir Singh are ‘two sides of the same coin’, says director: ‘Itna pyaar to kare koi’ | Bollywood News

Published by Parlour News

3 min readMumbaiMar 3, 2026 10:19 AM IST Sooraj Barjatya is credited with discovering the ‘Prem’ within Salman Khan at the very beginning of the superstar’s career through blockbuster films like Maine Pyaar Kiya and Hum Aapke Hain Koun. However, over time, as the depiction of masculinity on screen has changed, so too have the kinds of male protagonists dominating popular imagination. Today, in the age of the alpha male, characters like Kabir Singh or Rannvijay from Animal capture audiences’ attention in ways that are drastically different from the rather gentle, romantic softness of Barjatya’s films. Yet, Barjatya believes that, to him, whether it is his incarnation of Prem or these ‘toxic male characters,’ they are two sides of the same coin. “They are representations of the same men,” he said in a chat with Hindustan Times. Explaining further, he added, “Itna pyaar to kare koi (Someone must love this passionately). If you look at it, whether it is Kabir Singh, Animal, Prem, or the protagonist from Sangamarmar (his next web series), but itna pyaar …

Kabir Singh, Animal and Prem are ‘sides of the same coin’, feels Sooraj Barjatya: ‘Koi itna pyaar to kare’ | Interview

Kabir Singh, Animal and Prem are ‘sides of the same coin’, feels Sooraj Barjatya: ‘Koi itna pyaar to kare’ | Interview

Published by Webster

It is the era of alpha males on screen, many Indian film viewers have noted. What began with Kabir Singh has only been emboldened of late by hypermasculine, aggressive men, even in love stories. This has led many with rose-tinted glasses to hark back to a time when romantic leads in Hindi films were sensitive, and the protagonists of Sooraj Barjatya films – from Vivaah to Hum Aapke Hain Koun – are among those cited as examples of ‘ideal’ men. But the filmmaker himself feels that his Prem (the name he used for all his protagonists) is not much different from Kabir Singh. Ranbir Kapoor in Animal, Salman Khan in Hum Aapke Hain Koun, and Shahid Kapoor in Kabir Singh depicted various shades of love. Sooraj Barjatya on gentle romantic leads Barjatya recently saw the release of his new show, Sangamarmar, on JioHotstar. The romantic drama stars Sourabh Raaj Jain and Sheen Savita Das as a couple whose love grows over 25 years despite them not being married. Ahead of the release of the show, …

Sooraj Barjatya laments ‘marketing has taken preference over art’ in films, warns those sticking to formula | Exclusive

Sooraj Barjatya laments ‘marketing has taken preference over art’ in films, warns those sticking to formula | Exclusive

Published by Webster

In a career spanning four decades, Sooraj Barjatya has given some of the biggest family dramas in Indian cinema. Even as the landscape of Indian storytelling has shifted toward flashier, more glamorous tales, the filmmaker has stayed true to his roots. As he moves to OTT with his new show, Sangamarmar, Barjatya says he is still committed to telling simple stories that families can watch. In an exclusive chat with Hindustan Times, the filmmaker opens up about the show, the limitations cinema faces today, and why streaming is liberating. Sooraj Barjatya talks about streaming, Sangamarmar, and more. Sooraj Barjatya on Sangamarmar Sangamarmar stars Sheen Savita Dass and Sourabh Raaj Jain in a love story that traverses decades. Talking about the title and premise, Barjatya tells us, “When this story was conceived, we set it in Agra because of the Taj Mahal. Sangamarmar represents the marble used to build the Taj. This show is the story of a couple who are not married, but for 25 years, their relationship grows. We wanted a title that shows …

Anupam Kher Hails Sooraj Barjatya As ‘National Treasure’ On His Birthday: ‘The Kind Of Films You Make…’ | Bollywood News

Anupam Kher Hails Sooraj Barjatya As ‘National Treasure’ On His Birthday: ‘The Kind Of Films You Make…’ | Bollywood News

Published by Parlour News

Last Updated:February 22, 2026, 20:10 IST On Sooraj Barjatya’s birthday, Anupam Kher called him a ‘national treasure’, and hailing him for making the kind of films that very few would dare to attempt today. Anupam Kher wishes birthday to ‘National treasure’ Sooraj Barjatya As celebrated director Sooraj Barjatya turned a year older on Sunday, veteran actor Anupam Kher penned a heartfelt note for the filmmaker on social media, calling him a “National Treasure”. Kher shared that Barjatya chooses to make movies that are focused on moral values, relationships, faith, and goodness. He wrote on his Instagram handle, “Happy Birthday, dearest Sooraj Barjatya. In your own quiet, dignified way, you are truly a national treasure. The kind of films you choose to make — filled with values, relationships, faith, and goodness — very few even dare to attempt today. (sic)” Looking back at their professional journey together, which commenced from the 1984 drama, “Saaransh”, Kher added, “From the days of #Saaransh to the film you are making now, I have had the privilege of watching your …

Sooraj Barjatya Turns 62: Iconic Movies That Shaped Hindi Cinema | Bollywood News

Sooraj Barjatya Turns 62: Iconic Movies That Shaped Hindi Cinema | Bollywood News

Published by Parlour News

Last Updated:February 22, 2026, 07:45 IST Sooraj Barjatya is known for redefining Hindi cinema with his heartwarming family dramas, grand wedding celebrations and timeless stories rooted in love, tradition and togetherness Sooraj Barjatya has done several films with Salman Khan, including Hum Saath-Saath Hain. (Image: rajshrifilms/Instagram) Sooraj Barjatya Birthday: Every ‘90s kid remembers those good old days when families would sit together in front of the TV and watch films like Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Hum Saath Saath Hain. These movies played a big role in shaping how Bollywood shows love, relationships and family values for decades. And the man behind such family-friendly classics is none other than Sooraj Barjatya. Born on February 22, 1964, in Bombay (now Mumbai), Barjatya began his career in the industry as an assistant director before making his mark as a filmmaker. Today, he is counted among the most respected directors in Hindi cinema. His films are still known for their strong focus on family bonds, grand wedding scenes, lively music, and stories rooted in Indian traditions. Along with …

EXCLUSIVE: Dhurandhar fame Saumya Tandon joins Sooraj Barjatya’s Yeh Prem Mol Liya feat Ayushmann Khurrana, Sharvari

EXCLUSIVE: Dhurandhar fame Saumya Tandon joins Sooraj Barjatya’s Yeh Prem Mol Liya feat Ayushmann Khurrana, Sharvari

Published by Parlour News

The talented actor, Saumya Tandon was recently seen in Dhurandhar in a key role. Saumya is set to take on an exciting new project. Pinkvilla has exclusively learnt that the actor has joined the cast of Sooraj Barjatya’s upcoming film Yeh Prem Mol Liya, which features Ayushmann Khurrana and Sharvari in the lead roles. As per reliable sources, this development marks an important addition to the film and further strengthens its ensemble. Saumya Tandon in Dhurandhar Saumya earned praise for her performance in Dhurandhar, where she played the role of Ulfat Rehman, the wife of Akshaye Khanna’s character. Her role stood out for its emotional depth and restraint, reminding audiences of her range as a performer. Following that appearance, her inclusion in Yeh Prem Mol Liya signals a smooth transition into a film backed by one of Hindi cinema’s most respected storytellers. Sooraj Barjatya’s Yeh Prem Mol Liya Known for his trademark emotional narratives and rooted family dramas, Sooraj Barjatya is returning to the romance genre with Yeh Prem Mol Liya. The film brings together …

Not Madhuri Dixit! Karisma Kapoor Was Sooraj Barjatiya’s First Choice For Hum Aapke Hain Koun—Here’s Why

Not Madhuri Dixit! Karisma Kapoor Was Sooraj Barjatiya’s First Choice For Hum Aapke Hain Koun—Here’s Why

Published by Webster

Madhuri Dixit Replaced Karisma Kapoor In Hum Aapke Hai Koun(Photo Credit –Instagram/YouTube) Sooraj Barjatiya’s Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! is one of the most classic cult films in the history of Bollywood. While the movie’s concept, songs, and sizzling chemistry between Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit won hearts, did you know that Karisma Kapoor was initially considered to play the role of Nisha opposite Prem in the film? Read on to know more. Sooraj Barjatiya Wanted To Cast Karisma Kapoor As Nisha According to India.com, director Sooraj Barjatiya appeared on the reality TV show Indian Idol and shared insights about the casting of one of his evergreen films, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! Sooraj shared that he visualized Karisma Kapoor as Nisha instead of Madhuri Dixit because he was truly impressed by her work in her debut film, Prem Quidi (1991). While returning home, Barjatiya spoke to his father about the same and said, “She has a lot of ability. We are still in the writing stage of Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! and we need to cast …