The iconic Bollywood film “Andaz Apna Apna,” starring Salman Khan and Aamir Khan, may be celebrated today, but it faced a different fate 29 years ago, marking a rare box office setback. Filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi recently opened up about the film’s failure in an interview with Aaj Tak, shedding light on various factors that contributed to its underwhelming performance.
Rajkumar Santoshi highlighted the uniqueness of “Andaz Apna Apna,” emphasizing its departure from the typical romantic genre. He mentioned that the film’s blend of comedy, adventure, and humor set it apart, making it a unique cinematic experience. Santoshi pointed out that the audience took time to understand the film, especially as Salman Khan had just tasted success with his romantic hit “Maine Pyar Kiya.”
Moreover, Santoshi revealed that the film faced challenges during its release due to the distributors being newcomers. He acknowledged that neither Salman nor Aamir was in the city for promotional activities, and even he, as the filmmaker, was occupied with a shoot elsewhere, leading to a lack of publicity and media interactions.
Dispelling any hopes of a remake, Rajkumar Santoshi asserted that the film still looks fresh today, making it impossible to recreate its magic. He stated, “Whoever tries to make a remake of this evergreen film will drown because it is not possible to make such a film.”
Earlier this year, Santoshi had addressed the possibility of a remake in an interview with Hindustan Times, stating, “People often ask me to remake ‘Andaz Apna Apna,’ but I tell them ‘I cannot remake it. I can make another film in the same genre maybe, but it won’t be ‘Andaz Apna Apna.'”
Despite its initial struggles, “Andaz Apna Apna” has stood the test of time, earning a special place in Bollywood’s cinematic legacy.