Veteran actor Anupam Kher begins shooting his 549th film with director Sooraj Barjatya – a “creatively joyous journey” kicks off

In a landmark career moment, Anupam Kher has kicked off principal photography for his 549th film—this time reuniting with veteran director Sooraj Barjatya. The collaboration marks both a milestone for Kher’s prolific body of work and a continuation of his long-standing association with Barjatya and the Rajshri Films banner.

The film, currently untitled, was officially announced via Kher’s social-media post where he shared a video of himself presenting Barjatya an auspicious shawl from Ayodhya, marking the first day of the shoot. Kher described the moment as “long, happy, amazing and creatively joyous” and reflected on their decades-long rapport.

Why this collaboration matters

• Kher’s sheer number—549 films—is a testament to his endurance in the industry and signals that even in his “mature” phase, he continues to be in demand.

• Barjatya, known for his family-drama blockbusters, reuniting with Kher suggests the film may lean into the kind of emotionally-grounded, value-oriented storytelling that Rajshri Films is known for.

• The gesture of gifting a shawl from Ayodhya adds cultural symbolism—Kher emphasising roots, tradition and respect for the craft and the filmmaker.

What’s still under wraps

While the announcement is public, many details remain undisclosed: the title of the film, its full cast, the underlying story, and release timeline. Media outlets note that Barjatya’s next directorial is his eighth, but none of the narrative specifics have been shared yet.

Why it could be seen as controversial

• Some critics might argue that celebrating the “549th film” emphasises quantity over quality, raising the question: does volume matter more than artistic substance?

• Barjatya’s style, while successful, has often been critiqued for being formulaic in a changing Bollywood landscape. The pairing could be perceived as a safe, legacy-driven move rather than a bold new direction.

• For Kher, being associated with a large number and a legacy production house may reinforce his established image—but might also limit perceptions about taking risks or reinventing himself.

Final take

Anupam Kher’s announcement of his 549th film with Sooraj Barjatya is a moment of celebration—for longevity, legacy and collaborative rapport in Bollywood. It underscores that careers don’t just fade; they can evolve into milestones. Whether this particular project will raise the bar creatively or simply reaffirm established formulas remains to be seen. Either way, Kher, Barjatya and fans alike have reason to feel optimistic about the “creatively joyous journey” ahead.