Amrita Rao on first meeting Vivah director Sooraj Barjatya
Synopsis
Amrita Rao revealed she walked into her first meeting with Sooraj Barjatya in jeans and a t-shirt — only to learn she was being considered for Poonam, a traditional small-town girl. More surprising: Barjatya had noticed her not for a hit film, but for a seven-minute role in 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh.' That conversation led to 'Vivah' — and one of Bollywood's most enduring on-screen portrayals.
Key Takeaways
Amrita Rao revealed she attended her first meeting with Sooraj Barjatya in western casuals, unaware she was being considered for Poonam in 'Vivah' .
Barjatya cited her performance in 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh' — where she had just seven minutes of screen time — as the reason he approached her. 'Vivah' became the biggest commercial success of both Amrita Rao's and Shahid Kapoor's careers at the time of its release.
The film, produced by Rajshri Productions , was the first Indian film to release simultaneously in theatres and on the internet.
The role of Poonam remains one of the most beloved characters in Hindi family cinema.
Actress Amrita Rao has spoken candidly about how she landed her most celebrated role — Poonam in Sooraj Barjatya's 'Vivah' — revealing that her very first meeting with the director was marked by a moment of complete surprise, on both sides. The actress shared these memories during a media interaction, offering a rare glimpse behind one of Bollywood's most beloved family dramas.
The Unexpected First Meeting
Amrita recalled arriving at her meeting with Barjatya entirely unprepared for what lay ahead. Having been given no details about the role in question, she dressed as she normally would — in western casuals.
'When I met Suraj ji for the first time, I had no clue what his expectations were for me, what form he wanted to see me in. I had no idea. So I went dressed completely in western jeans and a t-shirt like a total contemporary Bombayite to find that the role he wants me to enact is a small town girl from Madhupur who is Poonam,' she said.
The contrast between her urban, contemporary appearance and the traditional, small-town character Barjatya had envisioned made the encounter all the more memorable — and, as it turned out, all the more meaningful.
The Role That Made the Difference
What surprised Amrita even more was the film that had caught Barjatya's attention. Rather than citing one of her commercially successful projects, the director pointed to 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh' — a film in which Amrita had barely seven minutes of screen time.
'One thing I really, really will not forget is the first thing Suraj ji said to me was, 'I really liked you in that film of yours.' And in that split second, my mind went to all the big box office hit films that I've usually been associated with. But to my surprise, he said something like 'Legend of Bhagat Singh', you know, jaha pe kul mila kar I think screen pe I was just barely enough for seven minutes. So that was very touchy because that role had made an impact on someone like Sooraj Barjatya,' she recounted.
The moment underscored how a brief but impactful performance can shape an actor's career in ways they least expect.
The Film That Defined a Generation
'Vivah', produced and distributed by Rajshri Productions, went on to become the biggest commercial success at that point in the careers of both Amrita Rao and her co-star Shahid Kapoor. The film also made history as the first Indian film to be simultaneously released in theatres and on the internet — a milestone that prefigured the digital distribution era by years.
Notably, the film's enduring popularity means that Amrita's portrayal of Poonam continues to resonate with audiences across generations, cementing her association with one of Hindi cinema's most iconic family dramas.
Legacy and Impact
The story of how Amrita Rao was cast in 'Vivah' speaks to a broader truth about the film industry — that directors with a discerning eye often find their muse in the most understated performances. Barjatya's decision to look past box-office metrics and focus on a seven-minute role reflects the kind of casting instinct that rarely makes headlines but shapes careers. As 'Vivah' continues to air on television and streaming platforms, its legacy only grows stronger.
Point of View
That instinct feels almost countercultural. The story also points to a structural gap: actors, especially women, rarely receive credit for small but precise performances that shape their careers behind the scenes.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Amrita Rao get the role of Poonam in Vivah?
Amrita Rao was approached by director Sooraj Barjatya after he was impressed by her performance in 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh,' where she had approximately seven minutes of screen time. She attended the first meeting unaware of the role and dressed in western casuals, only to learn she was being considered for a traditional small-town character.
What did Sooraj Barjatya tell Amrita Rao at their first meeting?
Barjatya told Amrita that he had been particularly moved by her work in 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh,' despite it being a brief role. Amrita recalled being surprised, as she had expected him to reference one of her bigger commercial hits.
Was Vivah a commercial success for Amrita Rao and Shahid Kapoor?
Yes. 'Vivah' became the biggest commercial success in both Amrita Rao's and Shahid Kapoor's careers at the time of its release. The film was produced and distributed by Rajshri Productions.
What milestone did Vivah achieve in Indian cinema?
'Vivah' was the first Indian film to be simultaneously released in theatres and on the internet, a landmark in the history of Indian film distribution.
