It is reported that Tarachand Barjatya’s father wanted him to study law after doing his Bachelor of Arts but Tarachand was not interested, he would stretch on the back bench of the class and read film magazines and when senior Barjatya discovered this, he wasted no time to enroll his son as an apprentice with Moti Mahal Theatres even though they could not afford to pay him any stipend. The year was 1933.
For five years Tarachand worked tirelessly and won everyone’s heart. Moti Mahal also owned a film distribution business in South India called Chamaria Talkie Distributors which was not doing well and where Tarachand was deputed to take care of the business in Madras, today Chennai. It was his astute business acumen and communication skills that changed the destiny of Moti Mahal theatres and they have always acknowledged this. His good relations with all top producers be it AVM Productions, Gemini Studios, Vijaya Productions and SS Vasan proved fruitful to his company and ultimately himself.
There is an interesting story about how Rajshri Pictures was born. SS Vasan had produced an exorbitant production Chandralekha that failed miserably all-over South India. Vasan was distressed and Tarachand advised him to dub Chandralekha in Hindi. Vasan was unfamiliar with the language and therefore unconfident but Tarachand assumed all responsibilities. Vasan was overwhelmed and suggested Tarachand distribute the film all over India. It meant opening offices overnight all over India but Tarachand took the leap and thus Rajshri Productions was born. The year was 1948.
To be continued