Rajeev Masand reveals Hrithik Roshan, director Sooraj Barjatya were upset over his negative review of Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon

Sooraj Barjatya’s Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon is a film that often finds itself on “worst movie lists”. The reasons include over-the-top acting — the performances, especially from the lead actors Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, were overly dramatic and unrealistic — weak storyline, stereotypical characters and incongruous tone, unrealistic situations, and the film’s campiness. Thus, Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon is considered a major misstep in Bollywood. Despite its initial theatrical run, Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon has managed to secure a unique place in pop culture. What started off as a film with poor reviews has since become a goldmine for memes, parodies, and endless mockery. Though the film may now be a classic example of Bollywood’s most exaggerated storytelling, it previously landed noted film critic and journalist Rajeev Masand in “trouble” for his candid critique of it on television. 

“Main Prem Ki Diwani was the first film I reviewed on television and I thought it was very funny but I got into a lot of trouble because of that. Back then, people wouldn’t say mean things on camera. Those kinds of reviews were mostly written. It got me into a lot of trouble,” Rajeev shared during his appearance on the show Uncensored with Shardul. 

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Rajeev also opened up about how his negative review of the film upset some of the members of the film’s cast and its director, Sooraj.  “Kareena didn’t say anything. I think Hrithik Roshan had got a little upset. The director was a little upset. It was a bizarre film. How could you…. Everyone seemed to be on some kind of trip (sic),” he added. 

Not many would know that the film which starred Kareena Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan was the remake of the 1976 film Chitchor. Produced by his home production Rajshri Films and directed by Basu Chatterjee, Chitchor had Amol Palekar, Zarina Wahab and Vijayendra Ghatge in lead roles.