DD’s comedy show

On the occasion of his birthday, we bring you a list of must watch David Dhawan films.

Shola Aur Shabnam (1992)

Cast: Govinda, Divya Bharti, Gulshan Grover, Mohnish Behl


The film was based around a group of NCC cadets who learn some discipline while not losing their sense of fun. What made the film appealing was the hi-jinks romance between Govinda and Divya Bharti, as also the comic capers of Govinda and company.

Bol Radha Bol (1992)


Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Juhi Chawla


It was one of the last hits of Rishi Kapoor as a leading man. This musical proved that he still hadn’t lost the fizz. He played a double role in the film and his negative role was much appreciated. Songs like Main hoon gaon ki gori and Bol radha bol became hits too.

Aankhen (1993)


Cast: Govinda, Chunky Pandey, Kader Khan, Raj Babbar


The combination of Govinda in a double role, Kader Khan in a double role, Raj Babbar in a double role and a monkey, thankfully in a single role, made the nation roll down in the aisles with laughter. It remains one of the biggest hits of David Dhawan’s career.

Raja Babu (1994)


Cast: Govinda, Karisma Kapoor, Kader Khan and Aruna Irani and Shakti Kapoor


It was a remake of K. Bhagyaraj's Tamil comedy Raasukutti. Govinda playing a spoilt country bumpkin who got reformed through Karisma’s love was a story that got picked up by the masses in a big way. Another plus was Shakti Kapoor’s clownish act as Nandoo.

 

 

Coolie No. 1 (1995)


Cast: Govinda, Karisma Kapoor, Sadashiv Amrapurkar and Kader Khan


Govinda is a coolie who pretends to be a rich on Sadashiv Amrapurkar’s behest and woos Karisma, leading to many comic misadventures. Main to raste se ja raha tha from the film is still popular.

Judwaa (1997)


Cast: Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Rambha, Kader Khan, Shakti Kapoor


It was a remake of Jackie Chan hit Twin Dragons. Salman played an introvert as well as one extrovert character. The crux was that if you hit one, the other would feel the pain as well and the plot device was used brilliantly by Dhawan. Oonchi hai building from the film has cult status even today.

Haseena Maan Jayegi (1999)


Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Govinda, Karisma Kapoor, Pooja Batra, Kader Khan


This comic caper had Sanjay Dutt and Govinda playing wayward sons of a super-rich dad. How they learn to mend their ways and romance Karisma Kapoor and Pooja Batra, who played sisters, forms the gist of the story. It was broad comedy all around, supplemented by such songs as What’s mobile number, I love you bol daal, and the title song.

Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004)


Cast: Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra


The film centred around the protagonist’s anger management issues and Dhawan, tongue firmly in cheek, cast Salman Khan as the lead hero. Akshay Kumar plays his childhood friend who swears to cure his friend and Priyanka Chopra plays his love interest. Songs like Jeene ke hain chaar din and the title song became popular.


 

Partner (2007)


Cast: Salman Khan, Govinda, Katrina Kaif


A rehash of Hollywood hit Hitch, Partner revolved around a relationship consultant played by Salman who helps a never-been-dated Govinda land the girl of his dreams, Katrina Kaif. It was a musical hit too, with songs like Soni de nakhre, You’re my love, Dupatta tera nau rang da finding an equation with the audience.


 

Main Tera Hero (2014)


Cast: Varun Dhawan, Ileana D’Cruz, Nargis Fakhri


David Dhawan found his rhythm once more while directing his son Varun in this caper about a wayward guy finding love and redemption as he falls from one comic misadventure into another. The film had Varun showing impeccable comic timing and had the girls swooning to his six packs as well. It had catchy songs like Besharmi ki height, Palat and Galat baat hai as well.