20 Years Of Awara Paagal Deewana EXCLUSIVE: “We are working on the sequel; Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal are there for sure; it will be directed by Ahmed Khan” – Firoz Nadiadwala

By Fenil Seta -

June 22, 2022 - 4:30 PM IST

Fun-filled comic caper Awara Paagal Deewana completed 20 years, on June 21. The film, which had an ensemble star cast comprising Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Aarti Chabria, Preeti Jhangiani, Amrita Arora and Johny Lever, was a decent success at the box office and later became quite popular after being aired on television. The characters’ eccentricities, the funny moments and the grand action sequence have made this film memorable even after two decades.

20 Years Of Awara Paagal Deewana EXCLUSIVE: “We are working on the sequel; Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal are there for sure; it will be directed by Ahmed Khan” – Firoz Nadiadwala

Bollywood Hungama exclusively spoke to producer Firoz Nadiadwala about this film and a lot more.

Awara Paagal Deewana was yet another excellent comic caper from your production house…
If you revisit Awara Paagal Deewana, you’d realize that it was a movie about extra marital affairs! Preeti Jhangiani ka chakkar chaalu ho gaya Aftab ke saath. Aftab ki biwi ka chakkar chaalu ho gaya Suniel ke saath. Paresh bhai ki biwi ka chakkar chalu ho gaya Johnny bhai ke saath! However, it was done in such an innocent and sanitized way ki public ka uspe dhyaan hi nahi gaya. That’s writer Neeraj Vora ji’s greatness.

How did director Vikram Bhatt come on board? Till that point, he had only made thrillers and action films…
It was all due to Neeraj ji. We met Vikram Bhatt at my villa, Barkat, and shared the story with him. He got along with well with me and Neeraj ji. Hence, there was an immediate comfort level. We decided that we’ll have a great journey on the film, regardless of the result.

The film is remembered not just for comedy but also for the grand action…
It was the first time that the action choreographers from The Matrix and Charlie’s Angels were brought into India. Cable action was used in India for the first time.

However, the action never looked forced. It was nicely woven with the narrative and gave a nice touch to the film…
We try to incorporate all these things from a common-sense point of view. It shouldn’t be there for the heck of it. Whether you are making a serious movie or an action movie or a romantic movie, logic and common sense are paramount. I don’t want the audiences to claim that ‘yeh toh kuch bhi dikha rahe hai’. You cannot contradict scene no 4 in scene no 8. The consistency must be there. The location, grandeur, scale etc. come later. But first, your ground needs to be firm and that’s only possible when you have the right story and script.

Awara Paagal Deewana is probably the last film of Bollywood in which the World Trade Centre was seen…
Yes. We shot the film in New York in July 2001. 2 months later, the 9/11 incident occurred.

The characters are memorable and so are their names, be it Yeda Anna or Chota Chatri!
That’s because Neeraj ji created those characters. Pehle unhone woh characters banaye. Fir unko yeh naam diye. Did you notice that all characters are serious? Serious hi nahi, saare characters masoom bhi hai.

One of the disappointing things about Awara Paagal Deewana is that it got an ‘A’ rating. Many have wondered why it happened especially when the film was a complete family entertainer…
I agree that there was nothing adult in the content. The film had no bloodshed as well. However, our Censor process happened very late. We could have gone to the Revising Committee but we didn’t get sufficient time for that. Hence, we had to make do with whatever rating we got. I remember, the Censor people told me ‘Aapko “A” dene waale hai’. I thought they are saying ki film ‘A-class’ hai. Baad mein pata chala ki ‘A’ certificate dene waale hai!

I believe the film works big time on TV…
Yes. According to Paresh bhai, Awara Paagal Deewana Hera Pheri se upar hai! Even today, he keeps telling me that ‘Awara Paagal Deewana 2 banao’.

Three years ago, there were reports that you are planning Awara Paagal Deewana 2…
Yes, we are doing the film.

What will be the star cast?
Akshay ji and Paresh are there for sure.

It was reported that Ahmed Khan will direct the film…
Yes. That’s true.

Four years ago, in a news report, it was said that you plan to take the actors to the Shaolin Temple in China for training
There’s a lot that the film will offer to the audiences. It’ll be something never seen before in the history of Indian cinema. It’ll take me a month or two to put things together.

Also Read: Anees Bazmee on his differences with Welcome producer Firoz Nadiadwala- “I believe in forgiving and moving on”