Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda starrer Bade Miyan Chote Miyan released in 1998.
Jackky Bhagnani reveals that Bade Miyan Chote Miyan has received a stamp of approval from Govinda. He adds that the star particularly praised Ali Abbas Zafar,
In 1998, when Govinda was at the pinnacle of his stardom and Amitabh Bachchan was transitioning from his angry young man image to a character actor, the stars decided to come together for David Dhawan and Vashu Bhagnani’s Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. As per reports, the film was made on a budget of Rs 12 crore and despite a clash with Karan Johar’s Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, it managed to clock Rs 35.21 crore. It was, in fact, one of the biggest commercial successes of the year.
Nearly 26 years later, Vasu’s son, Jackky Bhagnani, is bringing Bade Miyan Chote Miyan back on the big screen, this time starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff. While the makers have time and again maintained that both the films are starkly different from one another, comparisons between them are turning out to be inevitable. Unlike the older film which was a comedy, this one is a high-octane actioner themed on patriotism.
And now, in an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, Jackky reveals that Govinda, who played Chote Miyan in the 1998 film, has watched the trailer of the Ali Abbas Zafar directorial and has given his stamp of approval. “Amit uncle was busy but I got an opportunity to meet Chichi bhaiya at his house a day before the trailer launch of the film and showed him the trailer. He saw it and said to me, ‘Your director is a very good man,’” Jackky tells us.
According to Jackky, Govinda couldn’t stop gushing about Ali as he added, “When I asked him how he could predict the same, he told me that Ali hasn’t made a film but cinema with Bade Miya Chote Miyan. We all know that Chichi bhaiya is a veteran and legend. I grew up in front of him. And his words gave me so much confidence. It was just amazing. I’m a creative person who’s now producing. It made me so happy. All of us are working day and night so that people like what we made and praise us.”
Elated that the team of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, also starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, has been able to pull off more than what they had envisioned, Jackky shares, “I’m so proud of what Ali has done with Bade Miya Chote Miyan. He has taken it way beyond what we, as Pooja Entertainment, had imagined. I’ll always be indebted to Akshay sir, Tiger, Prithvi and Ali for this. Watching them in action has been a learning experience for me. If you follow the process correctly, the result will always be as sweet as this film.”
A surprised Ali couldn’t contain his joy on hearing Govinda’s praises for him and his film. Talking about how it has pepped up, he states, “Both Mr Bachchan and Govinda sir are legends. I’m so happy to hear what Govinda sir said about the trailer. His words are like a blessing. I hope they feel proud of us for taking their legacy forward in the right way when they watch the film.”
Bade Miyan Chote Miyan also stars Sonakshi Sinha, Alaya F and Manushi Chhillar and is set for a theatrical release on April 10.
