It's all in the family.
The tag line will go for almost every movie churned out by this production house. We are obviously referring to the untagged king of Bollywood family values, dramas and more -The Rajshri movies scion, Mr Sooraj Barjatya. After a long hiatus, the very notoriously shy director is at the helm of his latest Family saga starring his favorite PREM played by top Bollywood star -The one and only SALMAN KHAN.
Produced by Rajshri Productions (P) Ltd and presented by Fox Star Studios, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo is another complete family entertainer, set to release worldwide on Diwali 2015. Starring Salman Bhaijaan and Sonam Kapoor in lead roles, the movie sees Salman essay a double role, One of a Noble prince- Prem, and the other of a BOXER- Vijay.
The pairing is fresh and the buzz is strong. This power packed movie is definitely garnering a lot of attention. All of Barjatya's films have a very strong cultural and values connect and this movie is expected to be on the same lines.
Considering how much audience tastes have evolved in recent times, the movie is going to be in a league of its own with the shy, demure and pure romance coming back in focus. An Indian heart refusing to like a movie based on family values with ‘Bhai’ playing his trademark Prem looks highly unlikely. At a time when glamour rules over anything else, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’s simplicity and roots may come as a flavour of refreshing air.
Rajshri films have been around since 1962, but it was MAINE PYAR KIYA that broke all box office records and gave the production house a make over. Salman and Bhagyashree wove some magic in this Rich V/s poor drama high on values of friendship and of course, the deep family connect.
The Legendary Name PREM became synonymous with Salman as he went on to do 14 movies till date in the same character name. Not only did he essay the role of the perfect man, the role model hero, the amazing family guy who everyone loved to the "T", he became an epitome of love for the Sooraj Barrjatra-Rajshree's fairy tale type romance where the hero has specklessly clean character with no shades of grey and love is all about soulful music and sweet nothings!
Movies such as Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon ,Vivaah,etc followed and were pretty much on the same lines, the great INDIAN FAMILY values that were shown to be of prime importance to the protagonists.
The romance in Rajshri films is sweet. There's a lot of coyness, shyness and whispering involved. Love is in its purest form. The protagonists have generally never fallen for anyone before they fall for each other.
Keeping in mind these traditional values that the Barjatya family likes to hold on to, even the main Rajshri girl has to uphold the virtue of the chaste bahurani. She needs to be pretty, demure, charming. A woman who can be the best daughter-in-law understanding the value of family and honour. And of course, be good at the song and dance routine that comes with it.
Even the negative characters always reconcile in the end, there's no bloodshed, no stunts and no animosity that can't be resolved with words or acts of kindness and selflessness. All these values seem to have lost their meaning in the current context where REALITY BITES seem to have become the main theme of the recent crop of movies. With his squeaky clean movies, Sooraj Barjatya may just break the ice again and re-enforce the VALUES system that our country has originally been known for.
Aren't we are so looking forward to seeing SONAM, the fashionista in her brand new coy avatar opposite the evergreen heartthrob SALLU bhai in the upcoming touted BLOCKBUSTER -" PREM RATAN DHAN PAYO"!