Shehzad Khan recalls Raveena Tandon-Karisma Kapoor rivalry on Andaz Apna Apna sets: ‘We felt a little distance during the climax’ hindi movie news
The making of Andaz Apna Apna has long been linked to stories of tension between the co-stars Raveena Tandon And Karishma Kapoor. Reports over the years suggest that the two actors barely spoke during the shooting of the film due to an intense rivalry, often ignoring each other and even nitpicking at each other’s costumes.It is also widely said that the director Rajkumar Santoshi Extreme measures were once resorted to to reduce tensions – such as making them sit together. Today, that phase is often remembered as youthful “class politics”.However, veteran actor Ajit’s son Shehzad Khan, who played Bhalla in the cult comedy, says his personal experience was much less dramatic. In a recent interview with Vicky Lalwani he said, “I never really had to deal with their fights. They both were always very good to me.”“In fact, there was a very warm, family-like atmosphere – sometimes there was even biryani Salman Khan’s house.”He further added, “During the climax we only felt a little distance, maybe they weren’t talking much. But I stayed away from all this. My focus was on my work. As a newcomer, you are nervous and cautious anyway.”
‘I kept knocking on doors’
Opening up about his early days, Shehzad said that perseverance defined his journey. “After that, I kept knocking on doors,” he shared, adding that he worked in films like Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Purani Haveli.“I also worked with Amjad Khan, which was a great learning experience,” he said.
‘I thought it was just another promise’
Recalling how he got Andaz Apna Apna, Shehzad said, “Vinay Sinha once told me, ‘I will cast you in my next film.’ I thought it was just another ‘next movie’ promise!But things changed rapidly. “One day, I saw a newspaper advertisement – Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Raveena, Karisma – but of course, my name was not in it.”“At that very moment, I got a call and I was asked to come to Sunny Super Sound immediately. “I realized something was happening.”
‘Prince Santoshi insisted on me’
Shahzad credited Prince Santoshi for supporting him. “He told me, ‘I have cast everyone, but for one character – Bhalla – I insisted on you,'” he recalled.However there was a catch. “He said, ‘You have to use your father Ajit’s voice and style.’ I was nervous… but I agreed. And thus the journey began.”This decision did not go down well at home. Shehzad revealed, “Yes, he was upset. He told me, ‘Next time, don’t you dare do it again.’
‘People were looking for it in me’
Despite warnings he continued. He said, “What could I do? People appreciated it. After all, we are entertainers – we are here to entertain the audience.”Clarifying his stance, he said, “I told him that people liked it. Besides, he had stopped working at that time. So I said, ‘If you are not working, people are looking for you in me.'”“He had left the job at his peak, so naturally there was a void – people still wanted Ajit in some form or the other.”Looking back, Shehzad believes that everything worked out well in the end. “Other people also started bringing that essence back in their own way. Everyone found their place – I continued to do my thing, and others did theirs,” he concluded.