Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Raveena Tandon and Karisma Kapoor were the four who played the leads of Rajkumar Santoshi’s Andaz Apna Apna (1994). They were the main draws of the film, but the supporting players of the comedy from veterans Jagdeep and Mehmood to comedian Tiku Talsania and Viju Khote also contributed greatly to its cult status. Here are some of the funniest instances from the film’s biggest scene-stealers.
Juhi Chawla as herself
The aspiring Amar (Aamir Khan) dreams of bettering his position. And what better way to do that than to romance film star Juhi Chawla! In his morning musings, he envisions the two of them together, until the mention of Shah Rukh Khan comes up. Both Aamir Khan and Chawla were launched in a big way with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988).
Govinda as himself
In his imaginary relationship with Juhi Chawla, Amar meets his favourite hero, Govinda, who has no idea who he is. Amar hilariously says his trademark exclamation, Haila!, upon seeing him. The star is awfully touchy with co-star Chawla, constantly saying ‘Aa gale lag jaa [Come hug me]’ and drawing her in his arms. Govinda actually filled in for Sunny Deol who was supposed to do the cameo originally.
Jagdeep as Bankelal Bhopali
The film’s other hero, Prem (Salman), initially dreams of becoming an actor. His harassed father, Bankelal Bhopali, is a humble tailor whose earnings sail out the window each time his son stops by and therefore says, "Kamau mein, udaye woh! [I earn, he spends]". In another cult classic Sholay (1975), the actor had played the character Soorma Bhopali.
Deven Varma as Murli Manohar
At the other end, Amar’s father Murli Manohar (Deven Varma) owns a barbershop and laments to his ambitious son about his wayward schemes: "Tu jab jab khush hua hai, tab tab main barbad hua hoon! [Whatever makes you happy ruins me].” Varma's second film had been with the director's father PL Santoshi, Qawwali Ki Raat (1964).
Mehmood as Johnny
The Filmfare award-winning veteran comedian made one of his rare appearances in the 1990s in this film. In a meta scene, he played Johnny from Wah-Wah Productions. His character Atma from Pyar Kiye Jaa (1966) wanted to make his own horror films and had a banner called Wah! Wah! Productions. Here he fools Salman Khan’s Prem into thinking he can cast him in a big film and schools the young man in every comedy scene, including spitting on him for good luck!
Tiku Talsania as Inspector Pandey
Patiently waiting in his brand new jail, Inspector Pandey (Tiku Talsania) is looking, with added glee, for that special criminal to inaugurate it. He finds two candidates in Amar and Prem who are found fighting by the side of the road by Pandey’s constable. The first inmate gets to do the honours of cutting the red ribbon as well.
Javed Khan as Anand Akela
Prolific character actor Javed Khan’s character Anand Akela is yet another suitor trying to win the hand of heiress Raveena (Raveena Tandon). However, seeing the state of Amar and Prem, he decides to drop out of the race and help the two instead. In this scene above, he and Amar fool Raveena into thinking Amar is injured by Raveena. He tells the distressed Raveena, "Yeh kya uthega bechara, isse toh ab char aadmi hi uthayenge."
Viju Khote as Robert
What is a comedy film without a villain and his henchman? Viju Khote’s character was made immortal by his catchphrase, "Galti se mistake ho gaya...”. But the clueless henchman Robert had even more funny lines, including this one, when his co-henchman Bhalla (Shehzad Khan) ropes him in for an impromptu plan, and he retorts, “Lekin sir, apne bataya nahin aaj mera birthday hai...”
Shehzad Khan as Bhalla
Speaking of plans, Shehzad Khan’s Bhalla always has one. Sadly, they never work. Therefore, he says, “Mere naye plan ke mutaabik...” to his boss Teja (Paresh Rawal). The actor imitated the style and dialogue delivery of his famous father Ajit, who memorably played the villain in numerous Hindi films in the 1970s.