Hey there, Bollywood buffs! It’s your girl, Bollywood Newshound Nisha, back with another juicy scoop from the realm of glitz and glamour. Buckle up, because this one’s got all the drama, nostalgia, and a sprinkle of absurdity that only Bollywood can deliver.
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30 Years of ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!’: From First Choice Sridevi to Ticket Scalpers Living the High Life
Ah, the 90s! When Salman Khan still had a full head of hair and Madhuri Dixit’s smile could light up an entire cinema hall. Released on August 5, 1994, Suraj Barjatya’s magnum opus Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! has turned 30. Yes, folks, 30 years of "Didi Tera Devar Deewana" and Alok Nath’s sanskari tears. This film made history by being the first Indian movie to cross the Rs 100 crore mark. Talk about setting the bar high!
A Walk Down Memory Lane
The movie was such a craze that people were practically wrestling for tickets outside theaters. Ah, the good old days of black marketing. Speaking of which…
Fun Fact: Sridevi Was the First Choice for Nisha
Suraj Barjatya had his eyes set on Sridevi for the role of Nisha. Yes, you read that right. But our dear Sridevi was busy with a Malayalam movie and had to give it a pass. Enter Madhuri Dixit, who not only filled the shoes but danced her way into our hearts. And, let’s not forget, she pocketed a cool Rs 2.75 crore for her role. Not bad, eh?
The Title That Almost Was: ‘Dikhtana’
Believe it or not, the film was almost named "Dikhtana" after one of its catchy songs. Thankfully, someone had the sense to veto that, and we got the more melodious Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!
The Black Ticket Bonanza
Now, here’s the kicker. At the 25th anniversary celebration, Suraj Barjatya revealed some jaw-dropping tidbits. Before Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Liberty Cinema in Mumbai was a dump. Families avoided it like the plague. But after the movie’s release, it became the go-to cinema. So much so that advance bookings for the entire year were sold out. No kidding!
Here’s the wild part. One enterprising ticket scalper made so much moolah from selling black tickets that he bought not one, but TWO flats in Mumbai. Talk about a side hustle!
A Cinematic Transformation
Liberty Cinema’s owner, Nazir Hussain, promised Barjatya a complete makeover of the theater before the movie’s release. True to his word, he installed ultra-stereo sound systems and even built new washrooms. From B-Grade film screenings to being the crème de la crème of Mumbai’s cinemas, Liberty Cinema owes its facelift to Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!
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Nisha’s Nutshell
If there’s one takeaway from this saga, it’s this: In Bollywood, dreams are made, titles are changed, and sometimes, black market ticket sellers end up with real estate portfolios. Moral of the story? Always keep an eye on the absurdity; it might just be your ticket to a fortune. 😜
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Tags: Salman Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Bollywood Nostalgia, 90s Bollywood, Suraj Barjatya, Sridevi
Stay tuned, darlings. More scoops, snark, and sass coming your way soon!
