When Salman and Akshay spilled their magic on the big screen for the first time

In Bollywood, films featuring two lead stars have been a winning proposition right from the beginning. There are many iconic films like ‘Andaz’ (1949), ‘Deewaar’ (1975), ‘Ram Lakhan’ (1989), ‘Andaz Apna Apna’ (1994), ‘Karan Arjun’ (1995), ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ (1999), and more that went on to prove this time and again.

Filmmaker David Dhawan is one of the few directors in Bollywood who have never failed to entertain fans and ardent moviegoers with his popular two-hero films like ‘Aankhen’ (1993), ‘Deewana Mastana’ (1997), ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ (1998), ‘Haseena Maan Jaayegi’ (1999) and ‘Chal Mere Bhai’ (2000). And it was in the year 2004, when he yet again brought another romantic comedy entertainer that witnessed the teaming up of two of the biggest superstars for the first time on the big screen. It was Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar who had come together for ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’. And it was on July 30, in the year 2004 that this entertaining film had hit the screens.

‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’ featured actress Priyanka Chopra playing the female lead. This was for the first time that PeeCee was starring opposite Salman Khan, while the second time opposite Akshay Kumar. Salman and Akshay’s scenes undoubtedly turned out to be the biggest USP of this film. Their onscreen bonding and chemistry never made it realise that they were sharing the screen space for the first time. (Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar among Forbes top 100 Highest Paid Actors)

David Dhawan, as a director is known for bringing out the best comic performances of his lead stars, and ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’ can be easily counted as one of the best performances of both Salman and Akshay. Later, both of them went on to work together in ‘Jaan-E-Mann’ (2006), though it wasn’t as successful as ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’, their chemistry had won over hearts for sure.

Recently, Akshay Kumar joined hands to star in another project with Salman Khan that will be only produced by the latter. This collaboration will also see Karan Johar as co-producer. Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan may not be the best of friends but Akshay maintains that they both have mutual admiration for each other.

Akshay Kumar has said, “Friendship doesn’t mean you meet everyday. We don’t meet everyday. I haven’t gone to his house or he has come to my place. We have mutual admiration for each other. I admire him and so does he.” [sic]

Definitely, their bonding together onscreen and off screen is nothing less than a perfect treat for their fans and admirers out there. And, come to think of it, ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’ is still remembered, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar being the prime reason behind it.

Amod Pandit

Quiet, resonant, and creative, he can be seen immersed in his own world, and puts in his heart and soul into the one passion that he has, Bollywood. His line for survival? Feel happy to be a part of it.