Despite its failure at the box office and mixed reviews, ‘Mela’ remains a significant part of Bollywood history. The film, starring Aamir Khan and Twinkle Khanna, is known for its polarizing reception, and now, its director, Dharmesh Darshan, has shared some intriguing insights about it in an exclusive interview with Lehren Retro.
In the interview, Dharmesh Darshan acknowledged the film’s shortcomings and the way it’s been perceived over the years. He addressed Twinkle Khanna’s public jokes about the film, pointing out that while she may mock it, she should remember that ‘Mela’ holds the distinction of being her highest-watched TRP film and is among the top five TRP films for many others. He emphasizes that while ‘Mela’ might have been a disappointment, it wasn’t a complete disaster when compared to certain other films.
One of the aspects that added to ‘Mela’s’ complex legacy was its positioning between two major hits, ‘Raja Hindustani’ and ‘Dhadkan.’ According to Darshan, the media attempted to create controversies involving Aamir Khan during the film’s release, which contributed to its mixed reception.
Interestingly, Dharmesh Darshan initially didn’t want to make ‘Mela.’ However, Aamir Khan convinced him to take on the project to help revive his brother, Faisal Khan’s career. Initially saying no, it was Dharmesh’s mother who advised him to undertake the film.
While ‘Mela’ may not have been a hit universally, Dharmesh points out that it found love among North Indian audiences.
Dharmesh Darshan’s insights provide a fresh perspective on ‘Mela,’ a film that has continued to spark discussions in Bollywood circles. This revelation comes amidst recent controversy around the film’s history and reception.
In a related note, Aamir Khan’s film, ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’ struggled at the box office. ‘Dangal,’ his previous hit, remains one of his most significant successes.