In 1993, intense thrillers like Shah Rukh Khan’s Baazigar were outgrossed at the box office by Aankhen—a bizarre comedy starring two sets of identical twins and a pet monkey.
Directed by David Dhawan and starring Govinda, Chunky Panday, and Kader Khan, Aankhen remains one of the most defining Bollywood comedies of the 1990s. Here are some of the most interesting facts about this blockbuster:
- It ruled the 1993 box office. The early 1990s were dominated by intense action films and romantic thrillers. Although it released well before iconic movies like Darr, Baazigar, and Khalnayak, Aankhen topped the year's box office, grossing over ₹25 crore in India. It ran for 12 uninterrupted weeks in theaters, proving that audiences were hungry for pure, unadulterated slapstick comedy.
- Double "double roles." Bollywood has always loved a double role, but Aankhen doubled down. Both Govinda and Kader Khan played dual characters. Govinda played the mischievous city boy Bunnu and his naive village cousin Gauri Shankar. Kader Khan portrayed the wealthy father Hasmukh Rai and his twin brother. Juggling these dual identities on screen led to the film's signature chaotic comedy of errors.
- Bajrangi the monkey was a co-star. The monkey wasn't just a prop; he was central to the plot and heavily featured in the film's promotional materials. His comedic timing and interactions with Govinda and Chunky Panday were a massive hit with audiences, making him practically a supporting actor.
- The birth of a legendary duo. While Govinda and director David Dhawan had worked together previously on Shola Aur Shabnam (1992), Aankhen cemented their reputation as Bollywood's ultimate comedy dream team. This massive success paved the way for their legendary "No. 1" series, which dominated the rest of the decade with hits like Coolie No. 1 and Hero No. 1.
- The anthem of the year. The soundtrack by Bappi Lahiri featured the massive hit "O Lal Dupatte Waali." The track became a cultural phenomenon, dominating radio stations, weddings, and cassette tape sales throughout the year.
The film's success was so monumental that it sparked remakes across regional cinema, including the Telugu hit Pokiri Raja. Aankhen didn't just win 1993; it created the template for the loud, colorful, mistaken-identity comedies that would dominate Bollywood for the next ten years.
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