Sooraj Barjatya, the celebrated filmmaker behind some of Bollywood’s most cherished family dramas, is hardly someone you’d expect to find in a nightclub. His cinema, rooted in tradition and familial values, stands miles apart from the flashing lights and thumping beats of a party scene. By his own admission, he has never been a part of the nightlife culture. Yet, curiosity once led him to step into a Mumbai nightclub—an adventure that ended with him being politely asked to leave.
Recalling the amusing incident in an interview, the Hum Saath Saath Hain director revealed that his impromptu visit happened while preparing for Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon. With a cast featuring Kareena Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan, and Abhishek Bachchan, the film required him to explore settings he wasn’t accustomed to. So, accompanied by his wife, he walked into a club, where the last person he expected to meet was choreographer and filmmaker Farah Khan.
Farah, taken aback by the sight of Barjatya in a place so unlike his world, couldn’t contain her excitement. “Farah was so surprised and excited that she yelled, ‘What are you doing here?’” he recounted. But her amusement didn’t stop there. She immediately called Karan Johar to share the unexpected news. “She immediately called up Karan, and was like, ‘Karan, look who is here,’” he added, laughing at the memory.
Hoping to observe the atmosphere and blend in, Barjatya quietly sat in a corner, absorbing the surroundings. However, his presence didn’t go unnoticed for long. A man who had been dancing on the floor approached him and, with a puzzled expression, asked, “What are you doing here?” Barjatya replied honestly, “I am just here to observe things.” But the man, unimpressed, insisted, “No, you go away from here. Yeh hum paapi logo ke liye hai.” Understanding that he wasn’t exactly fitting in, Barjatya took his cue and left, thinking to himself, “Maybe, I am not meant to be here.”
Barjatya’s journey in Bollywood has been vastly different from the world he stepped into that night. He made his directorial debut at just 24 with Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), a film that not only catapulted Salman Khan to stardom but also redefined romance in Indian cinema. His style remained distinct, focusing on wholesome narratives that resonated with audiences who preferred tradition over trend.
His success continued with Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), a film that became a landmark in Indian cinema, celebrated for its depiction of family values, customs, and love. While Bollywood embraced bolder themes and fast-paced storytelling, Barjatya carved out his own space, proving that heartwarming, feel-good stories had a timeless appeal.
That one unexpected night in a Mumbai nightclub may have briefly placed him in unfamiliar territory, but it reaffirmed what Barjatya already knew—his world was meant to be built on love, family, and emotions, not disco lights and dance floors.
