23 years of Anjaam

As the Shah Rukh Khan-Madhuri Dixit film completes 23 years today, director Rahul Rawail shares anecdotes

While growing up in the 90s, one must have been a fan of tracks, such as, Chane Ke Khet Mein and Badi Mushkil Hai that featured in the film, Anjaam (1994). As the thriller completes 23 years today, director Rawail exclaims in wonder, “Woah! It has been over two decades?”

Going down memory lane, the director reminisces, “Whenever a filmmaker thinks about the film that he has already made, the first thought that comes to his mind is that he could have made it better. I am no different. Anjaam was an interesting project. It feels great when people talk about it even today. I remember when Sutanu Gupta and Gautam Rajadhyaksha approached me with the story, I instantly liked their idea.”

This was the first film, where Madhuri Dixit and Shah Rukh Khan were cast as the lead pair. And after Darr and Baazigar (1993), Shah Rukh was again seen playing a negative role. Talking about the lead pair, Rawail says, “It was wonderful directing them. They were always ready to go to any extent to make their part look convincing. Why just them, I would also like to mention Deepak Tijori [who played Madhuri’s husband in the film]. Not everyone was keen but he agreed and I think Deepak was perfect.”

Talking about the climax, Rawail shares, “The ending was different. Only Shah Rukh’s character was

supposed to die But while working, we felt Madhuri’s character must meet the same fate, as that would add to the plot and appeal.”

After Anjaam, Rawail again wanted to work with Shah Rukh and Madhuri, but says he never got script that was good enough for both of them.

HT PHOTO