25 Years of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan EXCLUSIVE: “The response in the theatres was FANTASTIC. People would dance and throw coins during the songs, especially ‘Kisi Disco Mein Jaaye’ and ‘Makhna’” – Raveena Tandon 25 : Bollywood News

25 Years of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan EXCLUSIVE: “The response in the theatres was FANTASTIC. People would dance and throw coins during the songs, especially ‘Kisi Disco Mein Jaaye’ and ‘Makhna’” – Raveena Tandon

By Fenil Seta -

October 16, 2023 - 10:32 AM IST

While the world is going gaga over the 25th anniversary of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, it’s also important to note that today, October 16, is also the 25th anniversary of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. The comic caper, starring Govinda, Amitabh Bachchan, Raveena Tandon and Ramya Krishnan, took a bigger opening than Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Its screen count was even more than the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer. Ultimately, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai raced ahead. Nevertheless, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, too, had a healthy run at the box office, thanks to David Dhawan’s expert direction, the unique concept of double roles of two characters and Viju Shah’s unforgettable music, especially the songs ‘Kisi Disco Mein Jaaye’ and ‘Makhna’.

As Bade Miyan Chote Miyan completes 25 years, the ravishing and talented Raveena Tandon spoke exclusively to Bollywood Hungama about the film and a lot more.

How did you bag Bade Miyan Chote Miyan? Was there any audition at that time? What was the process like in those days?
Those days, no one would bag a film or something. There would be no auditions either. I guess everyone knew you. Everyone had seen your work and knew what you were capable of. I remember I was offered the film. I, anyway, wanted to work with David. David wanted to work with me but due to certain reasons, we were not able to collaborate earlier.

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan was a great film and I definitely had to be a part of it. Chi Chi (Govinda) and I had already done a couple of films before. We were doing some great work together as well. So, this was a film I really enjoyed doing.

You had worked before with Amitabh Bachchan in Insaniyat (1994). Did that help? Were you nervous around him?
I have always been nervous while working with Amit ji (laughs)! See his personality! Especially for a young newcomer in his teens, it’s always a little intimidating to work with such a huge, magnificent personality who has this aura around him. I would ramble the silliest of things in front of him!

In Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, it was not so much of a challenge because I was playing his younger sister. But in Aks (2001), the real challenge kicked in since I had to do those confrontational scenes with him. So, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan was fun to do.

Did you ever visit cinema halls to check the reaction to Bade Miyan Chote Miyan?
No, I couldn’t visit any theatre as I was busy shooting. But I do know that the response was fantastic. People would dance and throw coins during the songs, especially ‘Kisi Disco Mein Jaaye’ and ‘Makhna’!

Just like Gadar 2 came 21 years after Gadar (2001), do you think Bade Miyan Chote Miyan also deserves a sequel? It’ll be interesting to see the cop characters of Amitabh and Govinda getting back at their lookalikes with the help of you and Ramya Krishnan!
I don’t know. I think it’s a bit too late for a sequel.

How do you plan to celebrate your birthday on October 26?
I am running away for a well-deserved break. I am going to my zen place. It’ll definitely be in one of the jungles of India. I love doing it the most and also pursuing wildlife photography. This birthday, I’ll be in and around nature and the natural environment and lots of wildlife (smiles).