Karan, Aditya & I Born with Golden Spoons, Sell Fairytale: Sooraj
The Indian film industry has always been known for its grandeur, drama, and fairytales on screen. And, who better to tell these stories than the ones who have been born with a silver spoon in their mouth? Filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya, in a recent interview, revealed that he, along with Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra, have had the privilege of being born with “golden spoons” and have not experienced the hardships of life.
In an era where the audience craved fairytales, Barjatya, along with his contemporaries, catered to their demands, showcasing a world that was nothing short of magical. And, it’s not hard to see why their films have become classics of the 90s.
Born into wealthy families, Barjatya, Johar, and Chopra have always had the luxury of traveling in cars, attending lavish parties, and living a life of opulence. Their early years were marked by privilege, and it’s only natural that it would reflect in their work.
“We have always travelled in cars,” Barjatya said in the interview. “We showed the kind of world that was a fairytale, and the 90s were an era when the audience wanted to see fairytales.”
The filmmaker’s statement is not meant to be taken as an excuse for their privileged upbringing, but rather as a testament to the kind of stories they were inspired to tell. Growing up in a world of luxury, they were exposed to a certain kind of glamour and grandeur that they couldn’t help but reflect in their work.
Barjatya’s own films, such as “Maine Pyar Kiya” and “Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!”, were a staple of the 90s. They were romantic, melodramatic, and full of grand set pieces. His contemporaries, such as Karan Johar, with films like “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” and “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”, also catered to the audience’s desire for fairytales.
Their films were a reflection of their own lives, with lavish weddings, expensive cars, and exotic locations. They showcased a world that was aspirational, a world that audiences wanted to be a part of. And, in many ways, they succeeded.
But, one can’t help but wonder if their privileged upbringing had an impact on the kind of stories they told. Did they, as filmmakers, have a responsibility to show a more realistic portrayal of life? Or, were they simply catering to the audience’s demand for fairytales?
It’s a complex question, one that has no easy answer. As filmmakers, they had a responsibility to tell stories that resonated with their audience. And, in many ways, they did just that. Their films were a reflection of the audience’s desires, their aspirations, and their sense of romance.
However, it’s also worth noting that their privileged upbringing didn’t necessarily translate to their films being more authentic. Many of their films were criticized for being overly melodramatic, with characters that were caricatures rather than fully fleshed-out people.
In the end, Barjatya’s statement is a reminder that our experiences, whether they be of privilege or hardship, shape the kind of stories we tell. As filmmakers, we have a responsibility to use our platforms to tell stories that resonate with our audience, whether they be fairytales or not.
And, who knows, maybe their privileged upbringing was exactly what they needed to tell the kind of stories they did. Maybe their golden spoons were the key to unlocking the kind of creativity and imagination that has captivated audiences for decades.
