Karan, Aditya & I Born with Golden Spoons, Sell Fairytale: Sooraj
The Bollywood industry is often associated with glamour, glitz, and a fairytale-like existence. And, it seems that some filmmakers are indeed living a life that is straight out of a fairytale. Filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya recently made a candid admission about the privileged upbringing he shared with his contemporaries, Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra. In an interview, Barjatya revealed that they were born with “golden spoons” and have never had to experience the hardships of life.
Barjatya, who has directed films like “Maine Pyar Kiya”, “Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!”, and “Vivaah”, stated that they have always traveled in cars and have had a life of luxury from a young age. He said, “We have always travelled in cars. We showed the kind of world that was a fairytale, and the 90s were an era when the audience wanted to see fairytales.” This statement has sparked a lot of debate and discussion about the privileged upbringing of these Bollywood bigwigs and how it has influenced their work.
Growing up in a family of filmmakers, Barjatya, Johar, and Chopra were exposed to the glamour and glitz of the film industry from a young age. They were born into families that had already made a name for themselves in the industry, and it’s no wonder that they were able to have a life of luxury and comfort. Barjatya’s father, Rajkumar Barjatya, was a successful producer and director, Johar’s father, Yash Johar, was the founder of Dharma Productions, and Chopra’s father, Yash Chopra, was a legendary director and producer.
However, Barjatya’s statement has also sparked criticism about the lack of representation of underprivileged groups in the film industry. Many have argued that the industry is dominated by people from affluent backgrounds, and that this lack of diversity has resulted in a lack of authentic representation of the struggles and experiences of marginalized communities.
Barjatya’s films, which are often family dramas and romances, have been hugely successful in India and have captured the hearts of audiences across the country. His films often portray a idyllic, fairytale-like existence, with happy endings and grand weddings. While these films have been loved by many, they have also been criticized for being overly sentimental and unrealistic.
It’s interesting to note that Barjatya’s statement comes at a time when there is a growing movement towards representation and diversity in the film industry. With the success of films like “Dangal”, “Baahubali”, and “Padmaavat”, there is a growing recognition of the importance of representation and the need to tell stories that reflect the experiences of diverse communities.
However, Barjatya’s statement also highlights the challenges that filmmakers from privileged backgrounds face in telling stories that are authentic and relatable to underprivileged communities. While they may have the resources and connections to make films that are visually stunning and technically impressive, they may not have the same level of understanding and empathy for the struggles and experiences of marginalized communities.
In conclusion, Barjatya’s statement about being born with “golden spoons” and selling fairytales is a candid admission about the privileged upbringing he shared with his contemporaries. While it’s true that they have had a life of luxury and comfort, it’s also important to recognize the impact that this has had on their work and the representation of underprivileged groups in the film industry. As the industry continues to evolve and grow, it’s essential that filmmakers like Barjatya, Johar, and Chopra use their platforms to tell stories that are authentic and relatable to all communities.
