Rajkumar Santoshi ‘mocked and laughed’ at Aamir Khan’s Raja Hindustani after working with him in Andaz Apna Apna

The Aamir Khan and Karisma Kapoor-starrer Raja Hindustani, directed by Dharmesh Darshan, was one of the biggest hits of 1996. Even before its release, the film had built considerable anticipation, given its popular music and the presence of two of the biggest movie stars of the time. It was expected to be a big hit. But, director Rajkumar Santoshi, who worked with Aamir on the film Aandaz Apna Apna, wasn’t exactly being supportive. In fact, as per director Dharmesh Darshan, Santoshi “mocked and laughed” at the film when he first watched it.

In a chat with Bollywood Hungama, Dharmesh said that Santoshi walked into a preview of the film along with 10 of his assistants, and they heckled throughout the screening. When Aamir was told that this happened, he almost did not believe it. “He came with 10 assistants, and they laughed and mocked the film. I went to Aamir Khan’s house at night (and told him about the reaction). He replied, ‘I don’t believe it’,” he recalled. Darshan said that Santoshi later apologised to him but at that time, he was quite demoralised by his statements.

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He explained that Santoshi’s behaviour was probably because of the clash between Raja Hindustani and Ghatak. “Santoshi’s Ghatak (1996) was released just three days before Raja Hindustani. And by his own words, Raja Hindustani killed Ghatak,” Dharmesh said, and added, “Ghatak is also a successful film. However, the expectations were huge as it was the coming together of Sunny Deol in an action role and Rajkumar Santoshi after Ghayal (1990). Also, it was a mega-budget film. Raja Hindustani, meanwhile, was mid-sized with no violence, except for in the climax.”

Rajkumar Santoshi is now making his next film, Lahore 1947, with Sunny Deol. The film is being produced by Aamir Khan. Santoshi and Aamir have previously worked together in Andaz Apna Apna. Dharmesh Darshan’s last release was 2006’s Aap Ki Khatir.