Hilarious Hijinks, Adorable Buffoonery And A Film So Outrageously Quotable It Makes Fight Club Seem Like A College Lecture.

ANDAZ APNA APNA
(1994)

*ALL-TIME AWESOME*

Directed by- Rajkumar Santoshi

Written by- Dileep Shukla & Rajkumar Santoshi

*Aamir Khan, Salman, Khan, Raveena Tandon, Karisma Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Viju Khote, Shehzad Khan, Javed Khan, Shakti Kapoor

My Most Favorite Hindi Film Of All Time. Period.

Andaz Apna Apna happened to me as a teenager not particularly interested in films, but even then I was amazed by how easily it sucked me in and effortlessly alienated me from the rest of humanity for the entirety of its running time.

And so, 2 hours and 40 minutes later, my jaw and stomach were aching like never before and I was still laughing like a madman. That's when I knew it wasn't the last I had seen of this infinitely rewatchable film.

And so it came to be. 
Andaz Apna Apna is easily the film that I've rewatched the maximum number of times. I've obviously lost count, but with every reviewing it becomes all the more satisfying as I join the actors in delivering every single dialogue. Yes, this is a film which I know like the back of my hand.

The biggest plus point of the film is obviously, its supremely quotable dialogue. Every line. Every. Single. Line. said by each and every character, no matter how trivial, is a gem which only adds to its glory. Humor drips from every word, be it the nonchalant "Hailas!" or Teja's grumbled mutterings.
Nothing goes to waste. Everything makes you roll over laughing.


But I fear even the incredible writing wouldn't have been as effective if not brought to life so effervescently by the magical cast. All characters are vital and bring their own flavor to the story.
From Anand Akela to Robert and Bhalla, every, and especially the tangential characters, are indispensable. 

For what would have Amar been if he didn't have the cockiness so effectively brought out by Aamir Khan? Would Prem have been the lovable buffoon he is if not for the antics of Salman?
Andaz Apna Apna depends as much on its stupendous cast as it does on Santoshi's evergreen lines and his assured direction.

And that brings us to the strongest suit of this perfectly ridiculous film. Santoshi's masterful direction. 
Now, I know for a cornball comedy, direction isn't really one of the most essential aspects. The material and acting basically drive the film, but this is one such example where both are exponentially made better through Santoshi's keen direction.

Every scene is defined by not just the lines and their execution but by how they are played out on film. The choreography, the chorus of multiple actors inhabiting a scene altogether, show how Santoshi pays close and crucial attention to the finer details while developing a scene. 
Dialogues aren't just jotted down on paper and recited in front of the camera, the actors become the characters and are directed to deliver them intuitively, even if it means making a jumbled up 'kuch ka kuch' on screen. 
But when you look through this noisy mess where more than one person is on with his own quibblings and decipher the ridiculous realism in every character, you realize that this isn't a fluke. That this is flawlessly and methodically executed genius.
And that's what I love about Andaz Apna Apna.

Of course, the direction lacks in a lot of places, like the continuity errors which are strewn throughout the film. Or the camerawork which usually half-crops an actor out of the frame while leaving lots of empty space at the other end.
But all of that only makes it all the more humorous in a 'meta' kind of way. 
I mean, who cares if Salman's hair continuously oscillate between a mullet and a shorter crop?

Over the years, it has enjoyed a cult following. Even bordering on So Bad It's Good lists, but that's a false assumption. Andaz Apna Apna is not a bad film by a damn sight. It's a truly pathbreaking, genre-defining film which doesn't conform to the sleazy, low-brow humor of Bollywood or even the boring satires or social commentaries. 
It is pure fun.

In a league of its own. Rather, a world of its own, where goons with SMGs hang up their weapons when threatened by a 'khaali rifle', where when you ask somebody to follow you, they usually tend to take the lead, where giving pocket change as extortion money is perfectly acceptable by the kidnapper.

I would have liked to quote my favorite line from the film, but there isn't one. The entire screenplay is one complete bundle of dialogue which is one of the most enjoyable things on this good earth I've had the pleasure of experiencing.
So, thank you Rajkumar Santoshi, for giving me and all of posterity this ultimate product of unprecedented and unmatched awesomeness!

Obviously, it's not perfect, but I still love the shit out of this movie!

Rating- 4.6/5