"We are friends for 30 years, and I have directed four films with him. As a storyteller, I cannot think of anyone else because I am quite obsessed with his persona. Initially we collaborated because we are friends, and if you know him you must know that he can do anything for his friends. Back then he was a young, handsome man with a strong screen presence and the audience loved him," Barjatya told .
He continued: "We were successful and we were going ahead with team spirit. But over a period of time he worked on his craft and proved his versatility as an actor. Now he is an interesting actor for any director to work with. Of course I will work with Salman in my next!"
The duo started collaborating with "Maine Pyar Kiya" in 1989, followed it with "Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!" (1994), "Hum Saath-Saath Hain" (1999) and "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo" (2015).
However, Bartjatya will take some more time before he starts his film with Salman because he has a responsibility as father to carry out before that.
"This year, we are launching our younger son Avinash as a writer, director. He is done with writing the script and the casting is in the process. Then there are two television projects for different channels that we are coming up with, as a production house. I wil focus on my film once all these things are in place," shared the 55 years old filmmaker.
Currently, Barjatiya is busy with the upcoming TV show "Dadi Amma... Dadi Amma Maan Jaao!" that airs from January 27 on Star Plus. He has created and developed the show under his banner, Rajshri Productions.
(Arundhuti Banerjee can be contacted at arundhuti.b@.in)
( With inputs from IANS )