Raja Babu

This was my first introduction to the world of Bollywood and I'm now hooked! Okay so it requires adoption of a different mindset to watching US films but once you allow yourself the pleasure of enjoying it for what it is you won't be disappointed. The songs are superb, melodic and very catchy. The actors are visually compelling especially Karisma Kapoor who is surely one of the most beautiful actresses anywhere in the film world. Locations, colour are spellbinding. If you want something different and are looking to be uplifted, cheered up and stimulated I recommend you catch this movie.

One of my favourite actor, Great comedy, Govinda best comedy actor

This is one of my favorite Govinda movies of all time and best film of 1994. David Dhawan does a great job in directing this movie, he makes it funny and adds family drama. Govinda is Excellent as Raja Babu and gives a great performance. Karishma Kapoor is an actress i hate, this film she is a little less annoying but still annoys in some scenes. Kader Khan is a maestro in acting and yet gives a superb performance. Aroona Irani is terrific as the mother and gives a outstanding performance. Shakti Kapoor is brilliant as Nandu the sidekick. This film has Comedy, action, family drama and romance a full on entertainer.

This film could be one of the most underrated film of Bollywood history.This 1994 blockbuster had all of it good performances,music and direction.I remember I was in Allahabad when this movie was running and it was somewhere in March at Holi time , the people there were playing its song "Ooe Amma" at their loudspeakers in highest volume. If someone who likes to watch Some Like It Hot and drools over Marilyn Monroe he should see this movie.Thumbs Up to Govinda.How many of you know that this film was shot in South of India and after Sholay could be one of the very few blockbuter to hit Silver Screen.With films like these Indian comedy could never be dead.

Raja Babu review :

"Aa ee oo oo oh. Mera dil naa todo".

Govinda's pelvic thrusts to this iconic song became so notorious that even reputed English magazines covered it lamenting the sad state of Bollywood. A few prudes may have cared but the Indian aam junta lapped up Raja Babu voraciously to make it a super hit at the ticket windows. The rural flavour worked even in the metros like Mumbai. And yup, Govinda was king then..

The 'Sarkailo Khatiya' item number was criticized for its vulgarity but that didnt stop the audience from cheering Karisma Kapoor and Govinda doing those raunchy steps on a desi bed. Personally, I loved this jodi and their onscreen chemistry was sizzling to the hilt. Even in actioners like Muqabla (1993) and Khuddar (1994).

Shakti Kapoor's career got a new lease of life playing the village bumpkin Nandu - Sabka Bandhu. He won the best comedian award that year. After Aankhen (1993), this was another super hit from Govinda - David Dhawan jodi.

Later, David Dhawan tried to repeat the same double entendrè formula in films like Andaz (1994), Eena Meena Deeka (1994) and Yaraana (1995) but unlike Raja Babu, these ventures were rejected by the audience. Even Govinda's Banarasi Babu (1997) with the same theme and a voluptuous Ramya in the main lead, came a cropper at the box office. Well, some formulae only work once!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.