Kolkata, June 28: Bollywood's bad patch and the box office disaster of his last movie 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' have forced the reclusive Sooraj Barjatya to come out of his shell, though facing the arc light clearly do not seem to be a way of life for the master movie maker. "But I know, despite all the effort you put into your movie, if you don't talk about it and market it, chances are (that) it will not be noticed as much as it should be," Barjatya, not known for making public appearances, said after his press meet here last evening.
Flanked by Hrithik Roshan, Barjatya, here to promote his film 'Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon' that released countrywide yesterday, said he was growing up to face the 'truth in the industry'.
On what exactly was he counting on despite casting Hrithik Roshan, Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor -- none of whom have been able to give a hit in recent times -- he said, "I have put my buck on characterisation this time and am hopeful about their performances. But hit or flop, the director is responsible for a film not the stars."
The now market-wise director said he had decided to "tackle" the bad phase by asking exhibitors to keep ticket rates low. "Popular rates can make movie-making affordable."
Expressing concern over the way the Hindi film industry was faring, he said for films to click in today's competitive entertainment market, the scripts needed to be logically worked out.
The maker of box office hits like 'Maine Pyar Kiya' and 'Hum Aap Ke Hain Kaun' said with his latest movie, he had challenged himself as a film maker.
For the first time, he has dropped Salman Khan from the lead, chosen a new music composer in Anu Malik and took the 'bold step' of shooting outdoors.
"I needed younger actors and contemporary numbers to suit the theme of the movie which is young and peppy. Plus, I wanted to come out from the controlled environment sets of kitchens and temples and try some awesome outdoor locales in New Zealand and Mauritius," he said.
With his fourth film and Rajshri Productions' 49th, the dream merchant, who made box office history with his directorial debut 'Maine Pyar Kiya' 13 years back, has matured.
"It seems now that I am heading in a new direction. Though God and hard work apart, I still feel one has to believe in the subject he portrays and really be in love with the characters to do justice to a film," he said. Bureau Report