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BizAsia’s five essential ingredients of a Rajshri film

Sooraj Barjatya�۪s ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ is just a two days away from release, and so the countdown is well and truly underway. The collaboration of Barjatya and Salman Khan returns after a lengthy 16 years post the blockbuster ‘Hum Saath-Saath Hain’. 16 years is a long time so BizAsia would like to reflect on some heart-touching, ��parivaarik�۪ essential elements of a Rajshri Productions�۪ film.

PRDP family featured

So much love for Prem

In most Rajshri Productions, the main protagonist�۪s name is always Prem. The first time Khan essayed the role of Prem was in Barjatya�۪s directorial debut, ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ (1989). Following on from its success, Khan featured as Prem in Barjatya�۪s following films: ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun’ (1994) and ‘Hum Saath-Saath Hain’ (1999). His character became widely popular and the films became blockbusters. Most of the depictions of Prem are righteous, devoted and dutiful- almost mirroring the virtues of Shravan Kumar. This reinforces how we should also become good children and look after our parents.

The ��sanskaari�۪/happy-go-lucky beti

Whether it�۪s Suman (Bhagyashree) from ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’, Nisha (Madhuri Dixit) from ‘Hum Aapke Hai Koun’ or Poonam (Amrita Rao) from ‘Vivah’ (2006), every Rajshri production heroine portrays the role of a sanskaari or happy-go-lucky beti. For example, even in 2003’s ‘Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon’, Kareena Kappor essays the character of Sanjana. Where she begins as this bubbly, newly graduate until she falls in love with Prem (Hrithik Roshan). This acts a turning point when Sanjana slowly becomes this sanskaari beti waiting for her love. I guess, a similar thing can also be said about Karisma Kapoor in ‘Hum Saath-Saath Hain’, who is initially a chirpy young, independent. However, when she realises that she�۪s deeply in love with Vinod (Saif Ali Khan), the real maturity kicks in. Furthermore, the fact that the heroines would rarely have skin show or wear any revealing clothes, emphasises the modern yet simplicity and purity of Indian women.

A “badaa ghar” (Big house)

If A is for apple, then B is for badaa (big). No matter which movie you watch, but there is always an affluent family living in a mansion of some sort. For instance, it would usually be the heroine�۪s family who resides in a rural and cultural background. In ‘Vivah’, Amrita Rao’s character lived in the small town of Madhupur, while her husband, Prem (Shahid Kapoor) was the son of a renowned business tycoon. Likewise for Bhagyashree and Khan in ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’. Despite the fact that the protagonists come from opposite backgrounds, there is a loving chemistry between them. It will be very interesting to see the chemistry between Khan and Sonam Kapoor in ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’.

The troublemaker- defeated

If you thought the villains in saas-bahu serials then there are also characters who stir trouble within the household! Remember Ajit Vachani and Mohinish Behl in ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’? Or Bindu in ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun’? Also the ��three butterflies�۪ in ‘Hum Saath-Saath Hain’? No matter which uncle or aunty that causes trouble, ultimately they are defeated and the families are reunited! Hence, the fact that Rajshri films always have a happy ending, it explains why the movies bring a smile on our faces.

A big family

���The family prays together, eats together, stays together.�۝ Remember that? Well, when we talk of Rajshri families��_ they’re indeed big. In all Rajshri movies, there are always huge family scenes. Even in a simple movie like ‘Vivah’, the sequence in Som-Sarovar post Poonam and Prem�۪s engagement became the highlight of the movie. Similarly, in ‘Hum Saath-Saath Hain’ the ��Sunoji Dulhan�۪ song was played post Mohnish-Tabu�۪s wedding in the movie. These sequences truly emphasises the love and warmth we get from families.

On the whole, with the release of ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ this week, it would be rather interesting to see how all these ��parivaarik�۪ elements will be amalgamated in this arguably modern romantic-family drama.

‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ releases on 12th November.

By Anuj Radia