One of the historic blockbusters of Indian cinema, Raja Hindustani (1996), starring Aamir Khan and Karisma Kapoor, complete 28 years today on November 11. On this landmark occasion, Bollywood Hungama exclusively spoke to the very articulate and genius mind, director Dharmesh Darshan, about the film and a lot more.
28 years have passed since Raja Hindustani released. It went on to do record business and is still widely watched. What do you think worked for the film?
I feel that it was my blind sincerity and dedication to the film that made a difference. Raja Hindustani had a very simple story. It didn’t have the number 1 stars, with due respect, like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) had Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. Raja Hindustani did have big stars, namely Aamir and Karisma, but they were nowhere close to being number one. They also had author-backed roles. Also, it was not my home production, like Yash Raj Films in the case of Aditya Chopra, Dharma Productions in the case of Karan Johar and Rajshri Productions in the case of Sooraj Barjatya. There was no strategic release. And out of nowhere, it became this monstrous blockbuster and also swept all the awards. It made Aamir Khan a Pan-India phenomenon and Karisma Kapoor came to be known as ‘Rani Hindustani’. Archana Puran Singh also took off from this film.
Having said that, the best of films can fail because people are not in the mood. The human factor is very important. People just don’t want to step out of their house. And sometimes, it’s also about perception. For instance, Mela (2000) had done wonderfully Pan-India but the media wrote it off. Today, it is the highest watched film of Aamir Khan on OTT. It was called outdated then, but youngsters of today are mad about Mela.
How do you look back at the experience of making Raja Hindustani?
I was 28 and risked all on this one film. After the success of my debut directorial, the action entertainer Lootere (1993), I was offered 5-10 films with the biggest heroes, and I declined those offers. They might have been offended and my film might have also not worked. Anything could have happened, right? I take immense pride in my creative inputs and the enormous sacrifices I made during the course of making this film.
One can’t have an interview on Raja Hindustani and not talk about its songs by Nadeem-Shravan…
(Smiles). Indeed. Raja Hindustani and Dhadkan (2000) along with Aashiqui (1999) are the top 3 highest selling music albums even today. However, today, if I have to use my songs, I have to take permission from the producers or the music director. It’s quite saddening and it hurts me. It’s my creative right, after all. Very few people have the grace to offer the rights themselves. Sadly, gratitude has never been the strong point of the film fraternity. I am not saying that anyone should be extraordinarily grateful to me. I just did my work. But please tell me – how many people do their work while giving their 100%? They just talk. They don’t even give 50%.
Those days, I was writing the films and also the lyrics at times. I was also working on sound and publicity. Films don’t get made just like that; a lot of effort goes into it. I wanted to give the films my all. Unfortunately, in those days, there was no talk of rights and royalty. I wish the producers have some grace today and keep sending me some share (laughs).
Nevertheless, God has given me a lot of dignity. Also, I am not greedy, which is evident in my choices during the sabbatical. Hence, I have never felt the need to reach out to anybody and ask for something, which has not been offered.
However, you have written the lyrics for 'Main Teri Rani Tu Raja Mera', 'Aye Saawan Baras Zara' and 'Jis Dil Ne Tujhko 'in Lootere (1993) and 'Dekho 2000 Zamana Aa Gaya' and 'Mela Dilon Ka' in Mela. You must be getting the royalty for it, courtesy of the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS)…
Look at the ways of the Lord (smiles). I am not trying to steal credit from anyone. But being an auteur, I like to be a part of every little thing. The music directors and lyricists did so many films. But why is it that the songs of my film stand up there and have unbelievable, historic views?
The producers had given me credit for these songs. And I forgot completely. In 2020, the Copyright Act was implemented, and I got a call from the IPRS. They told me (that I’ll be getting royalty). Its pennies compared to what I have earned, but I am grateful. There are also other songs where my contribution was huge. However, I didn’t take credit for it.
In the age of sequels of old classics, can we expect Raja Hindustani 2?
A lot of people have asked me about it. They also call me ‘The real Raja Hindustani’! I don’t know why they do that. There are several offers for Raja Hindustani’s sequel and Dhadkan’s sequel. I am also getting other offers for original films. Of course, I am going to direct soon but I’ll be very selective. I am also getting the best offers on OTT and also to become a digital personality, thanks to my knowledge of cinema and articulation and not having exposed myself continuously. The latter is what I am going to immediately look into.
Sunny Deol became big after Gadar 2’s (2023) blockbuster success. Aamir Khan is going through a low and Raja Hindustani 2 can take him back into the big league…
Yes. Anil Sharma did it with Sunny Deol. That’s probably the connection. People tell me, ‘I should turn the Thug Of Hindostan into Raja Hindustani again’! But never say never. It depends on the project and the offer. If he fits the role, then why not?
More Pages: Thugs Of Hindostan Box Office Collection , Thugs Of Hindostan Movie Review
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