Sooraj Barjatya Wiki, Age, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More

Sooraj Barjatiya is an Indian film writer, producer, and director. He is the Chairman and Managing Director of Rajshri Productions Pvt Ltd. Sooraj Barjatya is known for box-office hit films such as Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), Vivah (2006), and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015).

Wiki/Biography

Sooraj R. Barjatiya was born on Monday, 22 February 1965 (age 59 years; as of 2024) in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. His zodiac sign is Pisces. He studied at St. Mary’s School in Mumbai and The Scindia School in Gwalior. He is an alumnus of H.R. College of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai.

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 7″

Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper

Eye Colour: Brown

Family

Sooraj Barjatya belongs to the Marwari Jain family from Kuchaman in Rajasthan.

Parents & Siblings

Sooraj Barjatya’s father, Rajkumar Barjatya, is a well-known film producer. He passed away on 21 February 2019, at the age of 77 in Mumbai. His mother’s name is Sudha Barjatya.

His sister, Chanda Barjatya Surana, is a trained Kathak and Odissi dancer. In 2022, she launched her app, TellaTina, which can be used by people to share information.

Wife & Children

Sooraj Barjatya married Vineeta Barjatya in 1986.  She served as the Director of Rajshri Productions Pvt. Ltd from 1 Sep 1991 to 4 March 2009. She is the co-author of the book, ‘Can Moms Take a Chill Pill,’ along with seven other women, sharing their stories on parenthood.

They have three children, two sons, Devansh who is a producer and a writer and Avnish, who is a director and producer. They are also parents to a daughter, Eesha Barjatya.

Other Relatives

Sooraj Barjatya is the grandson of Tarachand Barjatya, a well-known film producer.

His uncle, Kamal Kumar Barjatya, is a film producer and director of Rajshri Productions Pvt Ltd.

Kamal’s daughter and Suraj Barjatya’s cousin, Kavita K. Barjatya, works as a producer for television and films.

Sooraj Barjatya’s niece, Vidhi Kasliwal, is a well-known director and producer. She is also the founder of the film production company, Landmarc Films.

Religion

Sooraj Barjatya follows Jainism.

Signature/Autograph

Career

Rajshri Productions

Sooraj Barjatya is the Chairman and Managing Director of Rajshri Productions, a Film Production and Distribution company. It was established in 1947 by Tarachand Barjatya, grandfather of Sooraj. The production house has produced some of the most commercially successful films such as ‘Dosti’ (1964), ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ (1989), and ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ (2015). The company also produces TV shows. Some of its most famous TV shows are ‘Paying Guest’ (1985), ‘Woh Rehne Waali Mehlon Ki’ (2005-2011), and ‘Yahaaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli’ (2009-2012).

Films

Sooraj Barjatya made his debut in the film industry by working as an assistant director in the film, ‘Saaransh’ in 1984.

In 1989, he made his debut as a writer and director with the film, ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya,’ and was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Director.

In 1994, he wrote, directed, and made his debut as a producer with ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!’ It won the Guinness World Record for “Highest-grossing Indian film” by grossing Rs. 100 crores worldwide in its first year. In 1999, he directed ‘Hum Saath-Saath Hain,’ which was the highest-grossing film of the year.

In 2003, he wrote and directed ‘Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon.’ In 2006, he directed, wrote, and produced ‘Vivah.’ In 2015, he wrote and directed ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo,’ which was the second-highest-grossing film of the year.

Television

Sooraj Barjatya made his debut as a TV producer with ‘Yahan Mein Ghar Ghar Kheli’ (2009-2012).

In 2010, he produced the show, ‘Do Hanson Ka Jodaa.’ He is the creator of the show, ‘Jhilmil Sitaaron Ka Aangan Hoga’ (2012-2013). He has produced the TV serial, ‘Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara’ (2012-2014).

Sooraj made his directorial debut on TV with ‘Ek Shringaar-Swabhiman’ (2016-2017). He was also the creator and producer of the show. In 2020, he produced and wrote ‘Dadi Amma Dadi Amma Maan Jaao!’

Awards

• In 1990, Sooraj Barjatya won the Filmfare Award for the Most Sensational Debut for ‘Maine Pyar Kiya.’

• In 1995, Sooraj Barjatya won the Filmfare Award for Best Director and Best Screenplay for the film, ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!’

• In the same year, he won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment  for the film, ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!’

• He won the Screen Awards for Best Director, Best Film, and Best Screenplay in 1995 for the film, ‘ Hum Aapke Hain Kaun..!’

• In 2015, he was honoured with the BIG Star Most Entertaining Romantic Film Of The Year award for ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’

Favourites

• Food: Chorafalli Ki Sabzi (Long Beans Curry)

• Actors: Salman Khan, Anupam Kher

• Actress: Madhuri Dixit

Facts/Trivia

• His film, ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!’ (1994), came at a time when video piracy was at an all-time high and the theatres were losing audiences due to their poor atmosphere. To remedy this, the film was released only in select theatres and the prints were given to theatres that were ready to upgrade themselves. Since the film was released with a positive response from the audience, theatres readily upgraded themselves. This increased the ticket revenue, brought the audience back into the theatres, and made history by making the film one of the highest-grossers of all time.

• Sooraj Barjatya is a vegetarian. ^[1]The Times Of India

• ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!’ brought the culture of ‘big-fat-weddings’ in cinema and real life. Weddings often feature songs and games inspired by the film. It also inspired many directors such as Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra.

• In an interview, he said that he is highly influenced by Raj Kapoor’s films and the camera angles that were used in the films.

• Sooraj Barjatya talked about being influenced by Mahesh Bhatt in an interview, who advised him to become a good scriptwriter in order to become a good movie-maker, and said,
  

  I approached Bhatt saab and said I wanted to be his assistant. I was given odd jobs and was even a clapboy. Bhatt saab told me that to be a good movie-maker, I needed to be a good scriptwriter. I took to writing and read numerous magazines to broaden my perspective.”

• Sooraj Barjatya is known for grand weddings in his movies. He talked about being influenced by the weddings he grew up with in real life in an interview and said,
  

  I grew up witnessing grand functions and wedding ceremonies in the family. The opulence shown in my films is based on my impressions as a child.”

• In another interview, Sooraj Barjatya talked about being influenced by real-life experiences for his films such as his mother’s death influenced him to make ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ (1999), and said,
  

  When I did ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya’ I was out of college, 21 or 22 years of age and then got married and had two kids and you learn the value of friendship and you make ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!’. And then you lose a mother and you make ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’, when you realise the value of marriage you make ‘Vivah’ and then with ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ you realise that every family has problems, you cannot deny (it).”

• Sooraj Barjatya made ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya’ (1989) when his family was losing money because their films were continuously flopping and were on the verge of bankruptcy. Another problem that they faced was video piracy. In an interview, Sooraj talked about how the film was able to bring in a huge audience and prevent Rajshri Productions from dying and said,
  

  When I made Maine Pyaar Kiya, video-piracy was at its peak. At the back of my mindwas the thought that the film had to be presented with such grandeur that viewers would be compelled to watch it at theatres. It was a make or break film for Rajshri; but I was confident that my hard work would pay off. The success of Maine Pyaar Kiya worked wonders for our sinking business.”

• He doesn’t indulge in smoking and alcohol.