Of family values & more

Famous film-maker Sooraj Barjatya has had a great journey in filmdom in the last 25 years. However, he still considers it a challenge to survive as a director of family dramas in today’s times! He talks about his primetime drama Piyaa Albela and much more.

Was it research that took you eight years to develop Piyaa Albela?

Piyaa Albela is a story set in today’s times and I am personally involved in writing the script. I believe when you are working on a project, then take your time but let the final product do justice to your imagination!

What can viewers look forward to in Piyaa Albela?

There is a visual treat in store for viewers in Piyaa Albela for sure, but it is the characters and their contrast; family values, the search for the truth, love and positivity that will constitute the show’s soul.

What measures have you taken to keep Piya Albela more engaging and entertaining?

I think the contrast between the lead characters will make the story compelling. While the boy Naren is lost in his own world in search of answers to a thousand questions about life, the girl Pooja is his anti-thesis — very worldly, very relatable. So, we will have distinct flavors, both serious and light-hearted, brought in through the lead characters.

Why have you chosen newcomers for this show?

We wanted a girl who is under 20 and looks like a college-going girl. While for Naren’s character, we were looking for someone who is inclined towards spirituality. When you cast a known actor, everyone knows that they are not really eccentric or spiritual or reclusive, so it comes across as a bit fake. So it is best to avoid the baggage of an already established image that comes with a known face.

What difference do you see in TV and films?

There is a scope of showing more creativity in films while TV is more hard work and time-bound. Not to forget, TV is a more powerful medium as compared to films. So far, Rajshri Productions is into TV and films only, one can explore new formats such as web series provided the concept appeals.