After creating iconic films like Hum Saath Saath Hain, Hum Aapke Hain Koun, and Vivah, filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya is all geared up to bring his first offering on OTT, Bada Naam Karega, February 7th. In conversation with him a few days prior to the film’s release, he expressed deep commitment to creating family-centric movies, even if the entertainment market is changing dramatically.
Sooraj Barjatya to OTT
Barjatya, in a recent interview with The Indian Express, talks about why he ventured into streaming. He confessed that initially, family dramas were not in demand on OTT platforms, which mostly favored thrillers and action-packed content. However, when audiences began craving wholesome, feel-good stories, streaming platforms noticed this gap and approached him to create a series that echoes the warmth of his classic films.
Why Family Values Matter in Storytelling
Even though the modern times have changed relationships, Barjatya is still convinced about his approach. He gives an example from the time Vivah was released when a journalist questioned whether traditional love stories were still relevant in the age of live-in relationships. However, the film’s huge success proved that family-centric themes are relevant enough to be universally accepted across generations.
Some movies like Vivah remain popular television fare in which audience appreciates stories focusing on the bonds between families.
Barjatya states that though distance in the physical world may be created between families because of work and hectic modern life, the emotional bond will remain intact.
His films allow the youngsters to watch movies with elders like parents or grandparents, thus inter-linking generations by bonding over the screen.
What Expect from Bada Naam Karega
In Bada Naam Karega, Barjatya has introduced us to characters Rishab and Surbhi-fun-loving yet belonging to the earthy aspect of family values. He acknowledges that not all would appreciate this way of storytelling and yet he is confident that quality content will find its audience.
Staying True to His Vision
Barjatya accepts that family structure is changing, but at the same time, he also feels that he is not going wrong in bringing out the true concept of togetherness. For him, although this generation is a louder and free-thinking generation, family values are not something which changes with generation.
“I feel responsible for showing these family values. It might fail at the box office, but someone will be able to see the good part of it.
As he progresses in his film-making career, Barjatya continues to groom new directors to carry on this legacy of meaningful storytelling as it matters to him because his passion never fades in trying to preserve traditional values in cinema so the audiences are never left without something warm and moving to relate with.
