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14 reasons why Mujhse Shaadi Karogi was a BLOCKBUSTER!
We don’t make comedies like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi anymore, which turns 14 years old today! This David Dhawan directorial was made with a stellar cast at a time when actors’ egos hadn’t crept in. It’s not a cakewalk to bring Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Akshay Kumar together in one film, make it in a controlled budget and base the narrative of the film (almost) in one narrow lane of Goa.
The film was completed in a span of mere 32 days! As the film turns 14, we list down 14 reasons why Mujhse Shaadi Karogi still remains a classic comedy and a rare example of a rip-off being better than the original (Anger Management):-
1. The Cast
When you have Salman, Priyanka and Akshay in the same film, how can it be not a success? We need not say more!
2. The Music
Jeene Ke Hain Chaar Din is still as fresh as it was in 2004, and Salman’s towel dance perhaps even more popular! Plus, all the other songs can be crooned in 2018 as well.
3. The Akshay-Salman Combination
Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar starred together for the first time and piqued the fans’ curiosities to no extent! This was a major casting coup that Sajid Nadiadwala and David Dhawan pulled-off.
4. Akshay-Priyanka
Akshay’s pairing with his heroines has always been the talk-of-the-town. Right from Shilpa Shetty to Raveena Tandon, his leading ladies were more famous than the films they starred in. The same happened with Priyanka, whose proximity with the Khiladi Kumar only grew during this film, and it paid off!
5. The Salman-David Combo
Salman Khan has done over eight films with David Dhawan, and before Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, the duo had hits like Judwaa and Biwi No.1 behind them. After the failure of Chal Mere Bhai and Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge, they collaborated really well again and gave their third success together.
6. Akshay Kumar
After doing action for over a decade, Kumar forayed into comedy with the 2000 classic, Hera Pheri. But it was this film that gave him the space to go full bonkers and unleash the physical comedic actor nobody knew he had hidden inside his tough exterior. He almost stole the show from Bhai!
7. The Two Hero Formula
David Dhawan’s two-hero films always worked at the ticket-windows. Aankhein, Deewana Mastana, Haseena Maan Jayegi, Jodi No.1, Ek Aur Ek Gyarah, all clicked big time. How could this film fail?
8. The Big Bollywood Film
After Lakshya, that came out in June, this was the first BIG Bollywood film after a month-and-a-half, and the public thronged to the cinemas to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars and enjoy this bonanza.
9. The Lack Of Competition
We all know how Box-Office clashes can cripple the commercial prospects of a Hindi film. Let’s not talk about today. Let’s talk about 2004 only, when Akshay’s another major release Aitraaz clashed with SRK’s Veer-Zaara. It could have been a bigger hit but stopped short. Thank God Mujhse Shaadi Karogi was a solo release!
10. The Promos
They say Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover! Bollywood fans don’t believe in it, though. It’s only after they have liked the trailer they’ll go to buy a ticket. And the makers of this comedy correctly pitched the promos and gave the viewers all the reasons to come inside the cinema halls.
11. The Budget
If someone told you a film starring Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Akshay Kumar was made at a budget of mere 19 crores, you’ll dismiss her or his claims, but that’s the truth. Known for being a spendthrift, it’s quite surprising how Sajid Nadiadwala brought three major stars on board with such a meager amount!
12. The Reviews
Critics have scarcely responded to slapstick comedies. They have always scoffed at the David Dhawan brand of cinema, but to a lot of people’s surprise, the reviews were favorable and much better than the ones received by the film that inspired Dhawan, Anger Management. Critical acclaim does help sometimes, it seems!
13. The Plot
Who says the film was brainless? There was a story woven around three central characters and how two men compete in a game of one-upmanship to win the girl of their dreams. Comedy is serious business! And not all comedies are dumb!
14. The Comedy
They say always save the best for the last, so the biggest reason for the film’s success was without a doubt the comical moments! From Rajpal Yadav’s double role to Kader Khan’s hilarious blood-clot story to Akshay Kumar’s misdemeanors to Satish Shah’s endless struggles to stay awake at night, we could go on and on! And not to forget the late Amrish Puri’s comedic bits after ages, and how he unintentionally becomes a victim of Salman Khan every time.
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