Filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya recently expressed his deep gratitude and honor after winning the National Film Award for Best Director for his film ‘Uunchai’ during an interaction with PTI. Reflecting on this significant achievement, Barjatya emphasized that his journey in cinema is far from over, with many more stories yet to be told.
At the 70th edition of the National Film Awards, ‘Uunchai’, an adventure drama that follows four aging friends preparing to scale Mount Everest, also earned Neena Gupta her second Best Supporting Actress award. The recognition brought back memories for Barjatya of his 1994 classic ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun…!’, which was also honored with the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
“I’m humbled to be honored amongst the best that the country has seen in cinema during 2022. It takes me back 30 years when ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun’ won the National Award for Best Film. The rush and happiness that I felt as a young director then was crazy! But today, as I get the National Award for Best Director for ‘Uunchai’, there is a sense of gratitude and calmness. The joy and happiness are much more internal today!” Barjatya shared. “As a director, my job for the last 35 years has been to keep telling stories. And I’m not done yet, there’s much more to come.”
‘Uunchai’, released in November 2022, marked Barjatya’s return to the big screen after a seven-year hiatus since ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’, starring Salman Khan and Sonam Kapoor Ahuja. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, and Danny Denzongpa and tells the story of four friends in their twilight years who embark on a trek that becomes a deeply personal, emotional, and spiritual journey as they confront their physical limitations and discover the true meaning of freedom.
“I feel I have truly climbed Mount Everest today. This immense recognition belongs to my entire team of senior actors and technicians, who fought the pandemic and shot at unheard-of locations with me,” said Barjatya, who is also known for directing family dramas like ‘Hum Saath-Saath Hain’ and ‘Vivah’. “Our National Film Awards unite our industry because they are a celebration of films made in every language.”
Barjatya noted that ‘Uunchai’ was particularly special as it was created in the 75th year of Rajshri Productions, the esteemed production house founded by his late grandfather, Tarachand Barjatya, on August 15, 1947.
“I would like to dedicate this award to Rajshri Productions and to all my elders in the family, under whom we continue to learn, to tell stories which can be inspiring, happy, and which help us trust each other and the power of goodness,” Barjatya added.
‘Uunchai’ also features Sarika, Nafisa Ali Sodhi, and Parineeti Chopra in pivotal roles, further enriching the film’s narrative and emotional depth.
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