Andaaz
Andaaz is a 2003 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film directed by Raj Kanwar and produced by Suneel Darshan under Shree Krishna International.[1] The movie stars Akshay Kumar in the lead role as Raj Malhotra, alongside Lara Dutta as Kajal and Priyanka Chopra as Jiya in their respective Bollywood debuts, with supporting performances by Pankaj Dheer, Rajeev Verma, and Johnny Lever.[2] Released on 23 May 2003, it runs for 147 minutes and features a soundtrack composed by the duo Nadeem-Shravan, with lyrics by Sameer.[3][4] The plot revolves around Raj and Kajal, childhood friends bonded by their shared passion for airplanes, who develop romantic feelings for each other.[5] After Raj joins the Indian Air Force, he returns to discover that Kajal has married the wealthy businessman Eeshwar Singhania due to family pressures.[1] Heartbroken, Raj is stationed in Cape Town, where he meets and falls in love with Jiya, Kajal's sister-in-law, who initially pursues him but ultimately seeks to reunite him with Kajal amid misunderstandings and revelations about Kajal's widowhood.[5] The story explores themes of love, loyalty, sacrifice, and unspoken emotions in a love triangle fraught with misunderstandings.[6] Andaaz was a commercial success, emerging as one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of 2003, with a total nett gross of ₹15.94 crore in India and ₹3.51 crore from overseas markets, classifying it as a "Hit" at the box office.[3] It opened strongly with ₹1.44 crore on its first day and collected ₹4.39 crore over the opening weekend across 300 screens.[3] The film's popularity was bolstered by its chart-topping soundtrack, including hits like "Kisi Se Tum Pyar Karo" and "Kitna Pagal Dil Hai," which contributed to its enduring appeal in the romantic genre.[4] Notably, it marked the cinematic entry of two beauty pageant winners—Lara Dutta (Miss Universe 2000) and Priyanka Chopra (Miss World 2000)—launching their successful careers in Bollywood.[7]Overview
Plot
Young Raj Malhotra lives with his elder brother Rohit, sister-in-law Kiran, and young niece in India. After a severe accident leaves him unable to walk, the family relocates to Dehradun, where Raj meets the spirited tomboy Kajal, his new neighbor who shares his fascination with airplanes.[5] Kajal encourages and motivates Raj to regain his mobility through physical therapy and determination, fostering a deep childhood friendship between them marked by mutual support and innocent affection. As they grow older, Raj, inspired by Kajal's dream of flying, joins the Indian Air Force as a pilot trainee, dedicating himself to the profession partly to impress her.[2] While Raj is away undergoing rigorous training abroad for a year, Kajal falls in love with the affluent pilot Karan Singhania and marries him in a lavish ceremony, unaware of Raj's unspoken romantic feelings for her.[6] Upon returning to India, a devastated Raj discovers Kajal's marriage and, heartbroken, requests a permanent posting to Cape Town, South Africa, to escape the painful memories and immerse himself in his work.[5] In Cape Town, Raj encounters Jiya, a wealthy, orphaned young woman living with her extended family, who becomes instantly enamored with his charm and piloting skills during a chance meeting at an aviation event.[8] Bold and persistent, Jiya pursues Raj relentlessly, even following him back to India when he visits his family, declaring her love openly despite his initial disinterest stemming from his lingering attachment to Kajal.[9] Influenced by his family's encouragement—particularly from Kiran, who sees Jiya as an ideal match to help Raj move on—Raj reluctantly agrees to marry Jiya and they become engaged, viewing the union as a way to honor their wishes and provide stability, though his heart remains unhealed.[5] Meanwhile, tragedy strikes when Karan's helicopter crashes during a flight, killing him instantly while Kajal survives but is left widowed and guilt-ridden, blaming herself for encouraging his risky maneuvers.[5] When Raj visits Jiya's family in Cape Town, he is shocked to learn that Jiya is the sister of Karan, making the widowed Kajal his sister-in-law. Seeking solace and a fresh start, Kajal has relocated to Cape Town with the Singhania family, where she reunites with Raj and Jiya at a social gathering, reigniting old sparks between her and Raj amid shared nostalgia for their Dehradun days.[6] As the love triangle intensifies, Raj grapples with his divided loyalties, torn between his commitment to the possessive and increasingly jealous Jiya—who discovers his hidden mementos of Kajal—and his rekindled passion for his first love.[9] Family dynamics strain further as Rohit and Kiran, now aware of the situation, urge Raj to confront his feelings honestly, while Jiya's orphaned background fuels her fear of abandonment, leading to heated confrontations that expose the fragility of their relationships.[8] In the climax, during a tense beachside showdown, Jiya learns the full extent of Raj's unresolved love for Kajal and, in a selfless act, releases him from the engagement, encouraging him to pursue true happiness despite her own heartbreak.[5] The film concludes on a poignant note with Jiya graciously participating in Raj and Kajal's wedding ceremony, symbolizing her growth and acceptance, as the couple finally unites in Dehradun surrounded by family, bringing closure to the entangled affections.[10]Cast
The principal cast of Andaaz features Akshay Kumar in the lead role of Raj Malhotra, a confident Indian Air Force pilot and loyal friend whose possessive nature drives the central romantic conflict.[11] Lara Dutta plays Kajal Singhania, Raj's spirited childhood companion who embodies traditional values amid evolving relationships.[11] Priyanka Chopra marks her Bollywood acting debut as Jiya Singhania, the bold and independent young woman who enters the love triangle as Raj's arranged bride-to-be, bringing a fresh energy to her character's emotional vulnerability.[12] Supporting actors include Pankaj Dheer as Professor Rohit Malhotra, Raj's supportive elder brother who provides familial guidance.[13] Rajeev Verma portrays Mr. Eeshwar Singhania, Jiya's authoritative father whose decisions influence the plot's marital dynamics.[13] Aman Verma appears as Karan Singhania, Kajal's affluent first husband, highlighting class contrasts in the narrative.[13] Additional roles are filled by Navni Parihar as Mrs. Kiran Malhotra, Rohit's wife, and Vivek Shauq in a comedic supporting part as Tony, adding light-hearted moments to the drama.[13]Production
Development
The film Andaaz was conceived by director Raj Kanwar as an emotional romantic drama centered on a love triangle, emphasizing themes of loyalty, unrequited love, and family bonds.[14] Kanwar, known for his earlier works in 1990s Bollywood romances like Jaan (1996) and Jeet (1996), envisioned the project as a high-budget musical that blended dramatic storytelling with lavish visuals to appeal to mainstream audiences.[1] The screenplay was penned by Robin Bhatt, Shyam Goel, and Jainendra Jain, drawing from established tropes of romantic entanglements seen in 1990s Hindi cinema, such as complex relationships and emotional conflicts.[15] Produced by Suneel Darshan under Shree Krishna International, pre-production planning focused on casting newcomers alongside established stars to refresh the genre. The estimated budget was around ₹9.25 crore, allocated primarily for production values, international locations, and musical sequences to ensure commercial viability.[3] Principal photography began in August 2002, marking a swift timeline from conception to principal photography.[16] A key aspect of development was the casting process, where Kanwar sought to launch beauty pageant winners into acting. Priyanka Chopra, who had won Miss World 2000, was selected for the pivotal role of Jiya, marking her Bollywood debut after initial modeling success; producer Darshan noted her voice evoked comparisons to veteran actress Rekha, influencing the decision despite initial skepticism about her acting potential.[17][18] Similarly, Lara Dutta, Miss Universe 2000, was cast as Kajal in what was initially considered for Karisma Kapoor, highlighting Kanwar's vision to pair fresh faces with Akshay Kumar in the lead role of Raj.[19] Kumar's involvement was secured early, leveraging his rising stardom post-2000s action-romance hits to anchor the film's commercial appeal.[16]Filming
Principal photography for Andaaz began in August 2002 and lasted approximately three months.[16][20] Cinematography was handled by Ishwar Bidri, who captured the film's vibrant romantic and action sequences in color.[21] Shooting took place primarily in India, including Mumbai studios for interior scenes and dramatic confrontations, with key exterior sequences filmed in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.[22] The South African location served as the backdrop for several song sequences, including the romantic number "Rabba Ishq Na Hove," which featured picturesque coastal settings.[20] One notable on-set incident occurred during the Cape Town shoot when a powerful wave swept actors Akshay Kumar and Lara Dutta into the sea while filming a beach song sequence; Kumar, leveraging his action training, rescued Dutta from the water.[20] Additionally, newcomer Priyanka Chopra faced challenges coordinating her dance movements to match the choreographer's vision for a song in Cape Town, requiring multiple takes and adjustments under director Raj Kanwar's guidance.[23] These events highlighted the logistical demands of blending high-energy dance routines with the film's action elements in outdoor environments.Soundtrack
Composition
The soundtrack of Andaaz was composed by the music director duo Nadeem–Shravan, celebrated for their romantic and melodic Bollywood compositions that dominated the 1990s and early 2000s.[24] Following Nadeem Saifi's relocation to London after the 1997 Gulshan Kumar murder case, the duo collaborated remotely for this project, with Nadeem creating several tunes from abroad while Shravan Rathod managed arrangements in India.[25] The lyrics were penned by Sameer Anjaan, emphasizing themes of love, longing, and heartbreak to align with the film's romantic drama.[4] Recording sessions featured prominent playback singers such as Alka Yagnik, Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam, Babul Supriyo, whose voices brought emotional depth to the tracks.[26] The compositions were designed to complement the movie's narrative, incorporating lively rhythms for dance sequences and poignant melodies for key emotional moments.[25]Track listing and reception
The soundtrack of Andaaz comprises seven tracks composed by the music duo Nadeem-Shravan, with lyrics written by Sameer Anjaan. Released by T-Series in 2003, the album features vocals from prominent playback singers of the era, blending romantic ballads and upbeat numbers typical of early 2000s Bollywood music.[26]| No. | Title | Singers | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kisise Tum Pyar Karo | Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik | 4:56 |
| 2 | Kitna Pagal Dil Hai | Kumar Sanu | 4:45 |
| 3 | Allah Kare Dil Na Lage Kisise | Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik | 5:21 |
| 4 | Rabba Ishq Na Hove | Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik, Sapna Mukherjee, Kailash Kher | 5:22 |
| 5 | Aaj Kehna Zaroori Hai | Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik | 5:10 |
| 6 | Aayega Maza Ab Barsaat Ka | Babul Supriyo, Alka Yagnik | 4:06 |
| 7 | Shala La Baby | Shaan, Alka Yagnik | 5:37 |