Writer/Director: Rajkumar Santoshi
Starring: Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and Karisma Kapoor
‘A Captivating Comedy Classic’
Few actors in Bollywood are as celebrated today as Aamir Khan. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Khan has proven to be one of the greatest actors in Bollywood. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, terrorists in danger or professional wrestlers, Khan has suggested he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s strength as an actor is his bravery. Khan has never been afraid to take risks in his career through tackling subjects that prove controversial. Through abilities to play characters which are compelling, Khan has established a legacy which has proven to be compelling. Despite reaching the age of retirement, Khan has never lost his strong passion for producing iconic entertainment. An iconic legend in India, Khan has become a celebrated legend in Bollywood Cinema. Throughout a groundbreaking career, Khan has created several strong movies that are worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies he has made in his career. However, “Andaz Apna Apna” absolutely stands out as being his funniest movie. Released back in 1994, Rajkumar Santoshi’s movie offered a funny portrait of gold diggers. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and bold acting, it’s a captivating Bollywood comedy classic. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Aamir Khan, who embodies a slacker that engages in dark life of crime. Ultimately, what makes “Andaz Apna Apna” a comedic classic is universal appeal. Unlike most comedies made in the 1990’s that are outdated today, it has aged beautifully. An awe-inspiring Bollywood comedy, there are many reasons why “Andaz Apna Apna” is a film worth watching.
“Andaz Apna Apna” tells the story of a pair of slackers that engage in criminal lifestyle in India. Aamir Khan plays Amar Manohar, a slacker that has a bad habit of chasing girls without respect. Assisted by his companion Prem Bhopali (Salman Khan), Amar strives to win over affections of a wealthy woman. However, Amar’s life forever changes when he discovers the danger of his lifestyle that causes disaster. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Amar wonders whether it is possible to get away with crimes without facing disaster. Facing a dilemma, Amar is forced to wonder whether he will ever be a successful conman in India.
Rajkumar Santoshi is fascinated by themes of crimes. An exceptional Indian filmmaker, Santoshi has often made engaging movies about criminals facing disaster. His award-winning film “Damini” offered a bold portrait of families torn apart by violent catastrophe. With “Andaz Apna Apna”, however, Santoshi directed his first comedy. It was Santoshi’s first attempt to capture the lives of criminal gold diggers facing adversity but he pulled it off effectively. Using bold cinematography, Santoshi captures a gold digger embarking on a journey to find his identity. Inspired by Val Guest’s “Casino Royale”, Santoshi defy uses montages to capture gold diggers that face adversity. For instance, the montages elevate the crimes scene. During this funny scene, Amar and Prem engage in a series of crimes that cause tension. Using montages, Santoshi crested a portrayal of gold diggers that’s engaging. Montages are complicated techniques. As Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai” suggested, montages enhance Indian movies about friendships. Nevertheless, it works tremendously. Using stunning visuals, Santoshi captures tensions gold diggers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Andaz Apna Apna” that merits recognition is production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best comedies you would ever see. Santoshi effectively uses cross-cutting to craft music scenes that are engaging. For instance, the cross-cutting elevates Do Mastanae song. During this unforgettable scene, Amar and Prem form strong bond together by singing a song. Through captivating cross-cutting, Santoshi creates a portrait of friendship that is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing the burdens slackers bear. Through strong production, Santoshi captures the lives of slackers which endure tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Andaz Apna Apna” is a comedy which is engaging. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture tensions that gold diggers that seek romance are facing. For instance, the monologues enhance the heiress meeting scene. During this funny scene, Amar and Prem confess their love for the heiress by emotional monologue. Through engaging monologues, Santoshi creates a portrait of friendship that audiences can easily relate to. Monologues are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Kunal Kohli’s “Fanaa” proved, dramatic monologues enhance Bollywood gilms about terrorism. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a superb screenplay, Santoshi captures slackers that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Aamir Khan delivers one of his best career performances as Amar. Khan first earned appreciation for playing serious heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Andaz Apna Apna”, however, he took on his most comedic role. It isn’t easy to portray a slacker engaging in a life of crime causing adversity but he pulls it off effectively. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, hilarious and emotional in his funniest role. With bold expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and spirit of a slacker facing tension. It’s an incredible performance from one of the best actors in Bollywood today.
While the film is mainly a strong showcase for Aamir Khan, the supporting cast is also amazing. Salman Khan is superb, bringing authority to a conman that engages in life of crime causing adversity. Karisma Kapoor is captivating, capturing charisma of a woman that falls in love with a gold digger causing a dilemma. Lastly, Paresh Rawal is worthy of appreciation. As a comedic professor, he is unforgettable.
Finally, “Andaz Apna Apna” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the lives of con-artists in India. Unlike most films in the Bollywood comedy genre, it discusses strong themes everyone would relate to. The film tackles bold themes such as ambition, mental health and friendship which will truly resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with culture of India to enjoy it. Therefore, “Andaz Apna Apna” is a universal Bollywood comedy everyone will definitely adore.
Fans of Aamir Khan would absolutely enjoy “Andaz Apna Apna” and so will audiences seeking funny entertainment. A captivating Bollywood comedy classic, it celebrates an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood comedy about slackers competing to win over a woman’s affection, it’s a brilliant reminder of an actor that had built a strong reputation through his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies which are absolutely worthy of appreciation.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 