Bollywood Family Drama Hitmaker Sooraj Barjatya on SonyLIV Series ‘Bada Naam Karenge’ and Upcoming Salman Khan Project: ‘I’m Trying to Create a New Prem’

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Sooraj Barjatya, known for his Bollywood hits, is stepping into digital entertainment with the series “Bada Naam Karenge,” debuting on streaming service SonyLIV. This move was prompted by SonyLIV’s distinctive demand for family-oriented content, a genre often perceived as contradictory to modern online viewing habits.

As a cinephile, I’ve had the privilege of steering some of India’s most iconic romantic films throughout my career. From the timeless “Maine Pyar Kiya” in 1989 to the unforgettable “Hum Aapke Hain Koun…!” in 1994, the enchanting “Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon” in 2003, the heartwarming “Vivah” in 2006, and finally “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo” in 2015 – each tale revolved around the intricate dynamics of family love.

As I’ve traversed numerous streaming platforms, I was consistently met with the notion that family dramas weren’t a suitable fit. They seemed to favor thrillers and action genres instead. However, when Sony approached us with an invitation to create content aligned with our unique sensibilities, I was truly taken aback. Their intention was clear: they wanted to attract the audience of ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun’ and ‘Vivah’, thereby broadening their viewership spectrum on OTT platforms.

In ‘Bada Naam Karenge’, we follow the story of Rishabh and Surbhi, a couple whose traditional marriage unexpectedly twists when old relationships re-emerge. The diverse cast features Ritik Ghanshani, Ayesha Kaduskar, Sadhika Sayal, Kanwaljeet Singh, Alka Amin, Rajesh Jais, Chitrali Lokesh, Rajesh Tailang, Anjana Sukhani and Jameel Khan.

In an attempt to strike a balance between appealing to newer generations while preserving the age-old values of Rajshri Productions, which is 78 years old, Barjatya invited Palash Vaswani, director of the popular SonyLIV family series “Gullak”, on board. He explains, “My initial move was to invite a younger filmmaker to join us… and create a modern setting from his perspective, rather than mine.” As the showrunner, he says, his duty is to fulfill what SonyLIV required, and he’s pleased that he’s managed to do so effectively.

The narrative, spanning from bustling Mumbai to smaller towns such as Ratlam and Ujjain, has been under development since 2013. As he explains, “My father [Rajkumar Barjatya] was still alive during that period, and we found this idea intriguing – a boy and girl who know each other in Mumbai, yet are instructed to meet for the first time. We struggled to find the perfect ending back then. Sometimes, it takes patience.

Filmmaker Barjatya, stepping away from his usual romance genre for the first time with “Uunchai” (2022), discovered that the streaming format opened up fresh creative avenues. He explains, “The streaming format provides us with a wealth of tools to delve deeper into our characters. In a two-and-a-half-hour film, we often face challenges in fully conveying our ideas.” He continues, “With this platform, we have the luxury of time to explore more dimensions. Our audience is more engaged and discerning here, so it’s delightful to craft a story with subtle nuances without resorting to heavy-handed explanations.

The filmmaker anticipates younger audiences will resonate with the show’s main theme. “I hope they understand that it’s hip and trendy to be affectionate towards your parents, to respect them deeply. There’s a takeaway for our older generation too — if you have provided them with strong foundations, then don’t fret, let them spread their wings.

Moving forward, filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya is working on a fresh family drama alongside frequent partner Salman Khan. However, he admits that the project, initially titled “Prem Ki Shadi,” requires careful thought. As he puts it, “We’re no longer the same ages as we once were. Salman can handle any action scenes, but in a family drama, it’s important to acknowledge his current age.” He continues, “I aim to create a new version of the Prem character for him – the same spirit and vibrancy will remain, the same colors will persist, but tailored to fit his age today.

Prior to the Khan project, Barjatya intends to unveil another “modest film set in the family genre” next month. He’s also considering a second installment of “Bada Naam Karenge,” expressing, “we have a few concepts on how to portray a boy and a girl preparing for marriage, and how the city once again tests their relationship.

In this current season, Barjatya expresses his most significant joy would stem from a multi-generational impact: “What would bring me the greatest pleasure is knowing that a grandchild might subscribe to SonyLIV to share something with their grandparent or grandmother.

“Bada Naam Karenge” streams from Feb. 7.

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2025-01-29 16:47