Sooraj Barjatya's upcoming film 'Vivaah' faces low buzz despite his past successes. Many believe his traditional storytelling style is outdated, and the lead pair, Shahid Kapoor and Amrita Rao, have a history of box office failures, making 'Vivaah' a critical test for his career.
It's disheartening to note that the man who has given two of the biggest hits of Hindi Cinema is awaiting the release of his next film with very little buzz doing the rounds. Sooraj Barjatya is an institution whom even Karan Johar considered as his guru. But the maker of 'Maine Pyaar Kiya' and 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun' is almost a non-entity as 'Vivaah' is up for release. Starring Shahid Kapoor and Amrita Rao, this one ought to have been a biggie but with its music being a total disappointment, people are more keen on 'Apna Sapna Money Money' (Releasing the same day) than 'Vivaah'.
Sooraj's last film 'Main Prem Deewani' was a loser while the one before 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' couldn't repeat the magic of his earlier two blockbusters either. Some people say that his style of storytelling is obsolete and he needs to reinvent himself if he wants to remain in the hunt of the big league. What goes against him is the fact that his hero Shahid Kapoor, in spite of being a fine actor and a terrific dancer, can not be bracketed with Salman, Hrithik or Abhishek (His earlier heroes). Moreover Shahid-Amrita pairing has given several duds including 'Wah Life Ho To Aisi' and 'Shikhar'.
It seems an uphill task for Sooraj Barjatya's fledgling fortunes with 'Vivaah'. The story of engagement to marriage has to be really out of the box to click in an era of 'Rang De Basanti', 'Dhoom' and 'Munnabhai' where innovative storytelling or scintillating action is the order of the day.