By Subhash K Jha

For all we know, Vivah could be Sooraj Barjatya's last film for some time as a director. Following the Yashraj model, Sooraj has decided to act as a on-hand producer for films coming out of the illustrious Rajshri banner.

Even as the master-filmmaker of the large Barjatyaclan moves back to let his kith and assistants make movies, his petite sister Kavita has decided to pay Bhaiyya a hefty homage in the serial WohRehne Wali Mehlon Ki (WRWMK).

The daily marathon last week touched the 500 episode. In fact it remains to this day the only unqualified success on Sahara.

"I wouldn't like to comment on its success on Sahara," says Kavita. "But when people say WRWMK upholds the Rajshri tradition I feel very happy. When I started looking after the television wing of my brother's production house I knew I had taken on a big responsibility.

This is the banner that gave audiences films like Dosti, Tapasya, Upahaar, Nadia Ke Paar, Maine Pyar Kiya and Hum Aapke Hain Koun. I wanted WRWMK to live up to the Rajshri standards."

Now after Episode 500, WRWMK is borrowing generously from Sooraj's two back-to-back big-screen family sagas Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Hum Saath Saath Hain.

Explains Kavita, "Yes I'm inspired by these films in my serial. As the plot goes, the protagonist Pari (Reena Kapoor) is currently bringing her husband's family together."

The character echoes Tabu in Hum Saath Saath Hain and Renuka Shahane in Hum Aapke Hain Koun.

"And why not?" reasons Kavita. "These classic films render themselves well to the soap format. The Rajshri films have always upheld joint- family values. WRWMK has taken the route of those films to show the traditional domesticated Bahu family as the mainstay of the family.

I've been inspired by our banner's Dulhan Wohi Jo Piya Man Bhaye, Hum Saath Saath Hain and Hum Aapke Hain Koun, and also my own surroundings.

You'll be surprised to know we all live under the same roof and in a harmony that replicates our cinema. By God's grace I've a wonderful support system in my family who stand by me in my bad times. It's very reassuring feeling. I'd like to extend that feeling of belonging to home viewers."