23 Years of Hadh Kar Di Aapne EXCLUSIVE: “The original star cast comprised Govinda and Mahima Chaudhry. Due to some date issues, Mahima couldn’t be a part of it” – Manoj Agarwal

Hadh Kar Di Aapne (2000), the outrageous comic caper, completed 23 years on April 14. Starring Govinda and Rani Mukerji, it is not as memorable as Govinda’s other comedies like Raja Babu (1994), Hero No 1 (1997), Haseena Maan Jayegi (1999) etc. But it has a good recall value, especially for its couple of hilarious scenes. It also has millions of views on YouTube and enjoys a good run on satellite. As the film celebrated its 23rd anniversary, Bollywood Hungama exclusively spoke to its director Manoj Agarwal about the film and a lot more.

How does it feel that Hadh Kar Di Aapne has completed 23 years? I can’t believe that 23 years have passed. The writing and the shooting processes are very fresh in my mind. It doesn’t seem like nostalgia to me. Every now and then, somebody or the other tells me ‘Aapki film iss channel pe dekhi’ or ‘Aapki film iss platform pe dekhi…maza aa gaya’. It makes me happy and motivates me to recreate the magic.

Do you mean to say that you plan to remake Hadh Kar Di Aapne? Yes!

Unlike other comedies of that era, the story of Hadh Kar Di Aapne was very unusual. The reason for the lead characters to head to Switzerland was also novel. How did you get the idea? And was it you who came up with the idea or was it from one of the writers? The idea was mine. A lot of writers were on board but the basic idea was given by me. It germinated in my mind. I was not influenced or inspired by any film. Having said that, a few films were in the back of my mind that I had seen at that time like Bombay To Goa (1972), If It's Tuesday This Must Be Belgium (1969), Roman Holiday (1953) etc.

Were Govinda and Rani Mukerji the original choices for Hadh Kar Di Aapne? No. If you recollect the initial publicity material, the original star cast comprised Govinda and Mahima Chaudhry. Due to some date issues, Mahima couldn’t be a part of it. She is a dear friend of mine even today and I really love and admire her.

The film had some outrageous moments. To begin with, all the family members of Govinda were played by Govinda! There was reluctance in the minds of everybody. They argued, ‘How can the mother and father both look the same?’! But my idea was simple – when you are making a comedy, you should not look for such logic. The writers and I, the director, felt we should go for it.

Then the other memorable scene of the film, and also of Indian cinema in my opinion, is when Govinda pretends to be in the television… That was also a scene where some people had reservations. They asked, ‘How can that man change the channel and suddenly Govinda changes his clothes and appears in front of him? When does he get a chance to change the costume?’. I was clear that comedy mein itne sawaal khade karenge toh fir aap comedy nahin bana sakte.

How was it to shoot this particular scene? It was madness! In fact, the whole shoot was a crazy experience.

What was Govinda’s reaction to these scenes? Was he also reluctant? No. He understands comedy and he was totally game for it.

Hadh Kar Di Aapne had some catchy even soulful songs... The other directors used to only make item songs with Govinda, which I wanted to avoid. Mujhe item song waali baat samaj mein aati nahin and I wanted to leave my own mark. I tried item-type songs before and I had failed. I prefer inserting a song that goes with the flow of the story or suits the flavour of the film. In my earlier film Pardesi Babu (1998), I added a song ‘Chingari Bheegi Dekho’ which didn’t suit the film’s flavour. Isliye, woh gaana chala hi nahin. Nobody even remembers it.

The sad song ‘Oye Raju’ resembles 'Ho Gaya Hai Tujhko' from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). Just like the song in the Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol starrer, ‘Oye Raju’ also shows the characters being sad and imagining a happy version of their lovers. Your thoughts? It was not a conscious inspiration. It was not an intended copy. But yeah, I might have been inspired at the back of my mind. I would not deny that.

Did you visit cinema halls to check the audience's reaction? Oh yes. The reactions in cinemas were mind-blowing. All across the board, viewers were enjoying the film. Even in North India, I remember people were loving it. So, it was a film that was universally accepted.

And what about the critics? Critics ko cater karne ke liye yeh film thi bhi nahin! I don’t think any critic liked it or that they praised me or the film.

You just confessed that you plan to remake Hadh Kar Di Aapne. 23 years ago, times were simple and people were far more accepting. Today, we live in times of trolling and social media. Do you fear trolling can harm the remake of Hadh Kar Di Aapne? Those who want to troll will anyway do so. I would believe in doing my work. Why worry about the trolls? Also, I will not make a scene-by-scene copy. A lot of changes will be made. I have written the script already. The characters are also slightly different but the essence is the same.

Who’s on your wish list to play the lead actors? I am in talks with a couple of actors. I won’t be able to name them.

Are you still in touch with Govinda and Rani Mukerji? Yes, once in a while and not on regular basis.

Can we see them making a special appearance in the remake? Let’s see (smiles)

Off late, we haven’t had a good comedy film compared to the days of Hadh Kar Di Aapne when comic capers used to release at regular intervals. According to you, why are we not making good comedy films? Is it because we don’t have good writers or because we don’t have a good writer when it comes to comedy? Well, the sensibilities of our filmmakers and audiences are different, especially that of the filmmakers. Aap wohi dekhoge, jo aapko dikhaya jaayega. The way the filmmakers and writers think when it comes to comedy nowadays, usme mazaa nahin hai. When I made Hadh Kar Di Aapne, my favourite comedy film used to be Angoor (1982) and Chupke Chupke (1975). But I don’t think I tried to add the aspects of these films in Hadh Kar Di Aapne. I guess times change. I hope that I am able to make a good comic caper keeping in mind today’s sensibilities.

Is there any other film that you are working on? Yes, and it’s not a comedy.

Also Read: David Dhawan opens up on the success of Aankhen; says, “I had tears in my eyes”

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