Mukesh Rishi CONFESSES doing Gunda was a “Misstep”; recalls Saif Ali Khan informing him about Bulla’s rise to internet fame: “I don’t know why I agreed” : Bollywood News

Kanti Shah's 1998 film Gunda, starring Mithun Chakraborty, was once panned for its excessive melodrama and bizarre plot. However, it has unexpectedly carved a niche in pop culture. Among its memorable aspects is Mukesh Rishi's flamboyant antagonist, Bulla, whose nonsensical dialogues and menacing presence continue to entertain netizens. However, Rishi initially had doubts about the role, even calling it a "misstep" during a recent interview with Lehren Retro.

Mukesh Rishi CONFESSES doing Gunda was a “Misstep”; recalls Saif Ali Khan informing him about Bulla’s rise to internet fame: “I don’t know why I agreed”

"As soon as we started filming, I realized accepting the role was a misstep," confessed Rishi. "Even a senior actor asked me why I did that role. I was the new villain in town and was doing good films at that time. Even I don't know why I agreed to do that movie."

Despite his initial reservations, Bulla's character unexpectedly resonated with a newer generation thanks to the growing reach of the internet. The turning point came years after the film's release, during a chance encounter with Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan.

"The first person to tell me about Bulla's fame was Saif Ali Khan," revealed Rishi. "He told me how the younger generation had embraced Bulla, making Gunda one of the most-watched films online. After that, I began receiving calls even from foreigners regarding this movie and character, and at any event that I attended, people started requesting me to say Bulla's lines."

Rishi acknowledged the inherent flaws of the film and character, admitting, "While doing it, I felt it was wrong and wondered why I even did it." However, he expresses appreciation for the unexpected acceptance from contemporary audiences. "Today's generation perceives it as humorous and overlooks any flaws. So, such things happen. However, I did not even expect in my wildest dreams that people would accept and celebrate the character and its dialogues 20-30 years down the line," he concluded.

Also Read: Mukesh Rishi reunites with Gunda co-star Harish Patel; fans remember Bulla and Ibu Hatela’s dialogues