Sooraj Barjatya Recalls Hilarious Nightclub Experience While Prepping for *Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon
Filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya, known for his deeply rooted and traditional films, recently had an engaging conversation with Mid-Day’s Mayank Shekhar. He reflected on his cinematic journey, his production house Rajshri Productions, and one of his most unique directorial ventures—*Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon* (2003), starring Hrithik Roshan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Kareena Kapoor Khan.
A Director in a Nightclub?
While discussing the film, Barjatya shared a humorous anecdote about his unusual preparation for it. Wanting to understand the modern, youthful vibe the film demanded, he decided to visit a nightclub with his wife. The venue, Fire-N-Ice, had recently opened, and Barjatya was curious to observe the atmosphere firsthand.
His presence at the club took partygoers by surprise. Choreographer Farah Khan, who spotted him, was stunned and immediately called Karan Johar, exclaiming, *“Look who’s here!”*
Barjatya recalled another amusing encounter: A man dancing nearby noticed him and asked, *“Aap yahaan kya kar rahe hai?”* (What are you doing here?). When Barjatya explained that he was simply observing, the man humorously responded, *“Aap yahan se jaaiye. Yeh jagah hum paapi logon ke liye hai!”* (Please leave. This place is for sinners like us!).
Laughing about the incident, Barjatya admitted, *“I quickly realized I didn’t belong there and left.”*
M F Husain’s Candid Reaction
Renowned artist M F Husain, an admirer of Barjatya’s films, was far from pleased with *Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon.* Barjatya revealed that Husain watched the film on its release day at Liberty Cinema and later called him, exclaiming, *“Yeh tune kya banaya hai? Main paint brush fek ke aaya hoon screen pe!”* (What have you made? I felt like throwing my paintbrush at the screen!).
Despite the film’s mixed reception, this behind-the-scenes story adds a humorous touch to its legacy, showing Barjatya’s commitment to stepping out of his comfort zone—even if it meant an awkward night at a nightclub
