Dear Suj,
Let’s introduce ourselves. We are two of the top-notch directors in Bollywood. I am Karan Johar and here, this one is my pal, Sooraj Barjatya. We have done our best. We have copied and lifted… er sorry...we have been inspired and influenced by the Yash Chopra school of direction. We have made ‘family entertainers’, made our heroes and heroines look great. Agreed that we have made hits and the cash counters have jingled but we do not garner the same respect as Yash Chopra does ? What gives ?
Suj : Hi, Mr. Directors. You have a problem. Maybe I should say you have great problems. Let’s analyze the man’s methodology, huh ? Together. So, here we go _
What works for him –
1. Theme
If you want to lose yourself in a fantasy world of love stories, heartbreak and impossible love triangles, watch a Yash Chopra movie. The entertainment value is guaranteed. A good story backed with solid performances and lots of tears and smiles. An emotional trip which makes you feel refreshed and cleansed at the end.
2. Cast
This man chooses the absolute big shots. He sure plays it safe. If it’s the early 80s, he will go for Rekha, Jaya and Amitabh. In late 80s, it’s Sridevi, Anil Kapoor and Rishi. In 90s it’s Kajol and Shahrukh and come, 2000, only Preity could be chosen as his ‘Zaara’. He does not take chances. No wild looking Kareenas or has-beens like Neelams for him. Listening, both of you ?
3. Beauty
This man knows how to make nature, men and women look utterly, drop-dead gorgeous. He has a Midas touch when it comes to giving ethereal beauty in every frame of the movie. He is a sort of a trendsetter when it came to picturizing romantic songs in lush green fields with gay tulips looking like a riot of colors. The homes in his movies are rich, plush, carpeted with warm fireplaces. And of course, his heroines are simply stunning. Watch Sridevi in ‘Chandni’ and ‘Lamhe’ or Rekha in ‘Silsila or even Juhi in ‘Darr’. They resembled apsaras walking on earth.
4. Dress codes
No garish colors, please. This is a Yash Chopra movie. Subtle pastels and pretty chiffons blowing softly in the breeze. Baby pinks, powder blues, moody mauves, pretty peach, lemon yellows and pristine whites. Colors which please your senses and give a refined and a polished look.
5. Men in love
The men in his movies are brave, large hearted and oh-so romantic. They are never confused between love and friendship. For them, it’s love all the way. They love with a passion and sacrifice with an aplomb. Everything has a stamp of dignity about it. Er, no Prem (Hrithik Roshan) jumps and leaps about on a beach in a Yash Chopra movie.
6. Determined women
The women in his movies look classy, sophisticated and delicate. Yet, they are not dumb dolls (Sooraj Barjatya, take note) They have a mind of their own, a dignity and self esteem. They assert themselves, draw their determined chins up in anger and tell everyone around them what they want and what they don’t. An eighteen year old, indomitable Pooja in Lamhe was a delight to watch. And so was the angry young woman, Saamiya in ‘Veer Zaara’. They dare to voice their opinions, change the courses of a few lives and stand in the way of adversities with conviction. He would never introduce a ‘Poo’ or a ‘Sanjana’. Elegance rules.
7. Music
One of the strengths of a Yash Chopra movie. It’s never the kind of music that you will listen to today and forget tomorrow. You will remember and love the music of all his movies for years and years. The best voices (usually Lata), the best composers (Shiv-Hari and even the Late Madan Mohan) and the best arrangements.
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Now let’s discuss the only major factor that does NOT work for this movie director.
His themes (again)
Light hearted candy floss romantic movies. Light as a bubble, or a feather on a windy day. His protagonists have no other problem in life except still searching for love, love unrequited, lost love, love returned but not fully returned, love misunderstood, love forgotten and it goes on. His movies almost never address the problems of poverty and unemployment. He may never dream of making a movie on supernatural ghosts or specters. Things get predictable and ho hum.
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So that’s about it. Now give it a thought and look for themes that challenge the current cinegoer’s mind and senses. Don’t go aping this great man and think hard. You are both young and full of potential. Stop playing safe and get started. Learn some from him and introduce a bit of your own. And by introducing some, I don’t mean a large dining table with twenty family members or a hogwash about friendship-love-friendship again-love again saga. Think of something new.