Love has not abated but expression of love has reduced: Barjatya

New Delhi, Nov 13: In this age of commercialization when expression of love, whether it be between a husband and wife, brother and sister or between parents and children, is often given a go by in the mad pursuit of material pleasures, Sooraj Barjatya's films seek to show a mirror to society by emphasizing importance of giving expression to basic emotions in relationships.

Today, when SMSes on the mobile and E mails on the Internet are fast replacing the spoken word and basic gestures of love between a boy and a girl or even husband and wife, Sooraj Barjatya believes that nothing is more heart warming in a relationship than exchange of few words of love and concern and display of basic gestures.

''Though the feeling of love between, say, a husband or wife or a mother and daughter is the same today as it was earlier, the expression of it has reduced. One no longer finds people giving expression to basic emotions like love and respect, something which is so important in any relationship,''says Sooraj, whose films like 'Maine Pyar Kiya', 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun', 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' have always sought to emphasise expression of basic emotions in relationships.

Now, through his latest film 'Vivaah', which traces the journey of a couple from engagement to marriage, Sooraj hopes to bring across to the cinegoers the importance of love in a relationship and re-emphasise traditional values like respect for elders.

''Vivaah' traces the relationship of Prem, son of a businessman from Delhi, and Poonam, a middle class girl from small town of Madhupur, from engagement to marriage. The basic essence of the film is about how one's life changes after the exchange of engagement rings; how with a simple exchange of an engagement ring you suddently become so important to someone else,''Sooraj told UNI in an interview here.

The film, which released on Friday, features Bollywood teenage heartthrob Shahid Kapur and the pretty Amrita Rao in the main leads.

Sooraj said among his various films based on family relationships, 'Vivaah' had been the most satisfying.

''For me 'Vivaah' is going back to my roots. a return to innocence and simplicity. As my fifth film, it has also been my most satisfying one. This film is not just about dances and functions that one associates with Indian marriages but also talks about the special rights that we give to the other person when we unite for 'Vivaah'. Suddenly, we become more important to somebody else; what we eat, wear is more important to somebody else than ourselves,''the filmmaker said.

Sooraj said 'Vivaah' was based on a story suggested to him by his father. ''My father had read the story in a weekly 16 years ago. When, after the debacle of 'Main Prem Ki Diwani Hai', I went to him for advice about possible storylines of my next film, he suggested I make this film about 'Maryadit Prem' - the feeling of love that encompasses a boy and a girl from the time they get engaged. I trust my father's judgement completely. 'Maine Pyar kiya', 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun' and 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' were chosen by my father while 'Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon' was chosen by me. That's the reason I trust his judgement,''Sooraj said.

Asked whether he felt a film like 'Vivaah', dealing with the sanctity of arranged marriage, would be able to sustain itself amid a host of 'glamorous films' like 'Don' and 'DhoomII', the filmmaker said, ''whatever the trend in the industry may be, we at rajshri have always believed in making films which emphasise the importance of love, traditional values and respect for elders. Also, with the past experience, I have realized that regardless of the prevailing trends, a filmmaker should make films he or she believes in. In any case, if everyone followed prevailing trends, films like 'Rang De Basanti' and 'Lage Raho Munnabhai' would not have been made.'' Sooraj said the USP of 'Vivaah', like most of his earlier films, was the depiction of basic relationships.

''All of us are simple people and social beings and we are all looking forward to coming back home in the evening to our loved ones,''he said.

On the choice of Shahid Kapur and Amrita for the roles of Prem and Poonam, Sooraj said,''I was very impressed by Shahid and Amrita's performances in their films.

Shahid has tremendous knowledge of films. The way he carries himself and the way he breathes life into his character is amazing.

As for Amrita, she nurtured the character of Poonam with such tender care-she has performed remarkably well for her age.''

UNI