In the following years Tarachand gave a hat-trick Dosti/ 1964 was his favorite film about two disabled friends rejected by society, Suraj/ 1966 where in music director Shankar launched singer Sharda and finally Taqdeer/ 1967 starring Bharat Bhushan was a family drama with the popular number ‘Papa jaldi aa jana’.
Life seemed like a perfect screenplay and usually this is the time comes a twist in the story! Not in Barjaya’s story though. He lived a life without villains and vamps, protected by the blessings of Shri Aurobindo and this was reflected in all his films and characters. His critics panned his brand of cinema but he continued to make wholesome family entertainers and actors looked forward to starring in his banner. Tarachand Barjatya was known for sustaining friendships. Satyajit Ray agreed to dub Kapurush Mahapurush /1965 in Hindi because Tarachand convinced him the film needed to reach a wider audience.
In the 70s Tarachand Barjatya was assisted by his three able sons Kamal Kumar, Rajkumar and the second generation of Rajshri Pictures. During this decade the banner produced approximately 20 films that launched multiple careers. It introduced Raakhee with Dharmendra in Jeevan Mrityu then reintroduced her after marriage and baby in Tapasya/ 1976. It unveiled teenage sensation Sachin and Sarika in Geet Gaata Chal/ 1975, girl next door Rameshwari in Dulhan Wajhi Jo Piya Man Bhaye/1977, was the first to pair Amol Palekar and Zarina Wahab in Chitchor/ 1976 first to bring together Mithun Chakraborty and Ranjeeta Kaur in Tarana/ 1979.
To be continued next week…