By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
Tarachand Barjatya, founder of Rajshri Productions, is a name synonymous with producing neat & clean family entertainers starting with with “Aarti” starring Meena Kumari, Ashok Kumar, Pradeep Kumar & Shashikala with many a hit number like- “Kabhi To Milegi, Kahin To Milegi”, “Aapne Yaad Dilaaya To Mujhe Yaad Aaya”, & “Ab Kya Misaal Doon Main Tumhare Shabaab Ki” under the music score Roshan with Lyrics penned by Majrooh Sutanpuri.
He then ventured to highlight poverty, something the current generation frowns upon, in his next film “Dosti” (1964) starring unknown actors -Sushil Kumar & Sudhir Kumar supported by Sanjay Khan, Baby Farida & Leela Mishra. The film did wonders on the music front with hit numbers like- “Chaahunga Main Tujhe Sanjh Savere”, “Koi Jab Raah Na Paaye”, “Raahi Manwa Dukh Ki Chinta”, “Jaanewalon Zara Mudke Dekho Mujhe” rendered by Mohd Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar. The film also brought good fortune with Box office collection touching 2 crore in 1964. The film won six awards- from the seven nominations it received including Best film, Best Music & Best Playback . It was directed by Satyen Bose who surprisingly lost it to Raj Kapoor (Sangam). The success of these films encouraged him to produce films like ‘Taqdeer’ (1967), ‘Jeevan Mrityu’ (1970), ‘Uphaar’ (1971), ‘ Piya Ka Ghar’ (1972), ‘Mere Bhaiya ‘ (1972) & ‘Chitchor’ (1976), predominantly showcasing characters from the middle class. The films that followed showed elements of wealth & richness with “Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye” (1977) “Maan Abhimaan” (1980) & “Abodh (1984)”.
“Maine Pyar Kiya” ( 1989 ) starring Bhagyashree, Salman Khan & Mohnish Bahl was the last film he was associated with as producer. The budget of the film was 2 crore. The success of it can well be gauged by the fact that it collected 40 crore at Box office. I had visited the shooting site, albeit brief. I often visited their Chandni Chowk Delhi office, looked after presumably by one of his relatives, in early 1980s.
It would be injustice if we did not mention his yet another film which was critically well acclaimed titled “Saaransh” (1984) featuring Anupam Kher, Rohini Hattangadi, Soni Razdan & Nilu Phule. The film showed unbelievable harsh realities suffered by the middle class. The film received seven nominations winning three -Best Actor( Anupam Kher) ,Best Story ( Mukesh Bhatt) & Best Art Direction by Madhukar Shinde at the 32nd Filmfare Awards.
