Salman Khan's 'Maine Pyar Kiya' can't have remake or sequel: Sooraj Barjatya, Bollywood's king of wholesome films
Director of India's vanilla romances discusses his web series debut Bada Naam Karenge
Dubai: Some films are like that one perfect love story—best left untouched. No sequels, no reinvention, just pure nostalgia. Why mess with perfection?
Director Sooraj Barjatya, the king of wholesome and vanilla Bollywood films, agrees. “I really don’t see how a Maine Pyar Kiya sequel could be made—or at least, I can't do it. I lived that story a long time ago, and a sequel would feel forced. The innocence, the charm, and the era it belonged to can never be replicated,” he says, putting an end to any reboot fantasies with signature sincerity.
His films have become pop culture touchstones. Who can forget the unforgettable scene in Vivah, where Amrita Rao shyly asks Shahid Kapoor if he's thirsty for jal (water), encapsulating Barjatya’s signature brand of old-school romance? Or the iconic moment in Maine Pyar Kiya, where Salman Khan and Bhagyashree delivered the sizzlingly innocent and thirst-trap line, “In friendship, no sorry, no thank you”—a dialogue that became legendary in its own right.
Barjatya has built a legacy of utopian films rooted in middle-class values and vibrant romances. His movies, often celebrating family bonds and love, have shaped generations of audiences who seek warmth and sunny optimism on the big screen.
Now he's off to begin a new chapter in his career as he takes a web series plunge with the family drama 'Bada Naam Karenge', out on Sony Liv now. But he doesn't deviate from his signature flourishes.
Some filmmakers push boundaries, break rules, and revel in chaos. Sooraj Barjatya? He wraps you in a warm, sanskaari hug where good people do good things, family is sacred, and love blossoms over songs. His movies are the cinematic equivalent of a perfectly sweetened cup of chai—comforting, predictable, and unapologetically wholesome.
In this conversation, the eternally positive talent reflects on his filmmaking journey, his perspective on Bollywood today, and his foray into the world of OTT content.
I grew up watching your movies in the 1980s, where it was all about loving your family and following traditions. You shaped the consciousness of an entire generation. How do you look back on that legacy?
Honestly, this is the way we grew up. I had the fortune of being part of a big joint family until I was six or seven years old. I didn’t even know my father’s name at that age because we had uncles and extended family all around. So, I simply created the world I knew. When I started as a filmmaker, it was a time when action films were losing steam, and people were ready for stories of love, family, and dreams. Aditya Chopra, Karan Johar, and I all contributed to this space, telling stories of goodness and niceness.
Do you think now, more than ever, we need a filmmaker like Sooraj Barjatya in our lives? Your show could be that respite from dark, gruesome shows that are now flooding the OTT space?
Absolutely. That is what drives me—to create content that fosters trust and warmth. When Sony LIV approached me to create 'Bada Naam Karenge', I was thrilled because they wanted to bring the Hum Saath Saath Hain audience to OTT. They wanted a show that families could watch together. This was the perfect opportunity to move away from the hyper-violent and hyper-realistic content and create something that brings generations together. Post-pandemic, I see a change—there is a huge family audience on OTT, people who are not comfortable with extreme content or subtitles, and they want something pure and heartwarming.
OTT is often associated with darker content, graphic violence, and unchecked freedom. Were you tempted to push boundaries in your OTT venture?
No, we have not pushed any boundaries in terms of explicit content. Even in my films, I have never gone beyond what is necessary for the story. What we did push were the layers in storytelling—we had more time to develop our characters, to justify the perspectives of both elders and youngsters. In films, with a runtime of two and a half hours, we have to move quickly, but here, with a longer format, we had the time to explore relationships deeply. We even included five songs to maintain the musical essence of our storytelling.
You have always been a staunch advocate for your style of filmmaking. Despite industry trends, you stuck to your lane. Was that a deliberate choice?
Yes and no. At Rajshri Productions, we have made all kinds of films, including action films, dance films, and offbeat projects. But what worked were our emotionally driven, aesthetic films. I have experimented but realized that my strength lies in telling stories of love, relationships, and values. People still come up to me and ask for those stories. My mentors, like Mahesh Bhatt, encouraged me to stay true to my style, and I feel blessed that my films have found a place in people’s hearts.
But we live in a world of dating apps, where arranged marriage feels outdated. Was that a concern while making 'Bada Naam Karenge'?
India and Bharat are very different. In Bharat, these values are still intact. If you step into the heartland, you will see that arranged marriages are still a reality, and traditional family structures still exist. The struggle lies in bridging the gap between generations, and that’s exactly what our show explores. Marriage as an institution is being questioned, but we also need to show its positive side. Not all marriages are bad, and people deserve to see examples of strong, loving partnerships.
Your casting choices for this series led by Ritik Ghanshani and Ayesha Kaduskar are interesting—no big stars, no recall value. What was your thought process?
The story dictated the casting. We needed actors who exuded innocence. Our hero, Ritik, comes from a small town and dreams of making it big, while Ayesha, our female lead, comes from a middle-class background. These characters needed fresh faces to make them believable. We auditioned extensively, and our director, Palash, selected Ritik and Ayesha based on their understanding of these small-town realities. Supporting them, we have veteran actors to provide depth.
You are known for your sunshine-filled, idealistic movies. But what do you do on a dark day? Do you ever watch grim films?
Like everyone, I have bad days. When I feel low, I turn to meditation, the Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas, and the Bhagavad Gita for perspective. The greatest source of inspiration for me is the Rajshri emblem outside our office—it reminds me of the legacy we carry. That gratitude helps me reset and start fresh.
Don't Miss It!
'Bada Naam Karenge' is streaming on Sony LIV
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