The making of Andaz Apna Apna has long been associated with stories of tension between co-stars Raveena Tandon and Karisma Kapoor. Reports over the years have indicated that the two actors barely spoke while filming the film due to the intense rivalry, often ignoring each other, and even eyeing each other’s outfits. However, Shehzad Khan, son of veteran actor Ajit, who plays Bhalla in the comedy, says his personal experience was much less dramatic.
The making of Andaz Apna Apna has long been associated with stories of tension between co-stars Raveena Tandon and Karisma Kapoor. Reports over the years have indicated that the two actors barely spoke while filming the film due to the intense rivalry, often ignoring each other, and even eyeing each other’s outfits.It is also widely said that director Rajkumar Santoshi once resorted to extreme measures – such as making them sit together – to ease tensions. Today, this phase is often remembered as youthful “class politics.”However, Shehzad Khan, son of veteran actor Ajit, who plays Bhalla in the comedy, says his personal experience was much less dramatic. “I never had to deal with their fights. They were both always very nice to me,” he said in a recent interview with Vicky Lalwani.“In fact, there was a very warm family atmosphere, and sometimes biryani would come from him
Salman Khan
house.”“We only felt a little distance during the peak, maybe they weren’t talking much. But I stayed away from it all. I was focusing on my work. As a newcomer, you’re anyway nervous and cautious,” he added.
“I kept knocking on doors”
Speaking about his early days, Shehzad said that perseverance defined his journey. “After that, I kept knocking on doors,” he said, adding that he has worked in films like Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Purani Haveli.
“I also worked with Amjad Khan, which was a great learning experience,” he added.
“I thought it was just another promise.”
Recalling how he landed Andaz Apna Apna, Shehzad said: “Vinay Sinha once told me, ‘I will accompany you in my next film.’ I thought it was just another promise for the next film!”But things changed quickly. “One day, I saw an advertisement in a newspaper – Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Raveena, Karisma – but of course, my name was not there.”“At that very moment, I received a call asking me to come to Sunny Super Sound immediately.
“I realized something was going on.”
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Raveena Tandon talks about her fight with Karisma Kapoor in the 90s: “She doesn’t appear in my life in any way…”
“Rajkumar Santoshi insisted on me,” he said.
Shehzad credited Rajkumar Santoshi for supporting him. “He said, ‘You have chosen everyone, but for one character – Bhalla – I insisted on you,’” he recalls.There was a catch though. He told me: You have to use your father Ajit’s voice and style. I was nervous…but I agreed. And so the journey began.”The decision did not go down well at home. “Yes, he was upset. He told me: ‘Next time, don’t you dare do that again,'” Shehzad revealed.
“People were looking for it in me.”
Despite the warning, he continued. “What can I do? People appreciate it. At the end of the day, we are entertainers – we are here to entertain the audience,” he said.Explaining his position, he added: “I told him that people liked it. He also stopped working at that point. I told him: If you are not working, people are looking for you in me.”“He resigned at his peak, so naturally there was a void, people still wanted Ajit in one form or another.”Looking back, Shehzad believes everything fell into place in the end. “Others also began to bring back this essence in their own way. Everyone found their own space, and I continued to do my work, while others did theirs,” he concluded.
