16 years of Ugly Aur Pagli: Revisiting the unusual love story of Mallika Sherawat and Ranvir Shorey

It's been 16 years since Ugly Aur Pagli hit the big screen. The uncredited adaptation of the Korean film My Sassy Girl featured Mallika Sherawat and Ranvir Shorey in the lead roles. The Sachin Khot directorial is currently available to stream on Disney+ Hotstar, Lionsgate Play (OTTplay Premium), and ShemarooMe (OTTplay Premium). The 2008 romantic comedy Ugly Aur Pagli follows a young engineering student from Mumbai as he forms an unusual bond with a woman he meets on the train.

Ugly Aur Pagli main characters and initial meeting

Ranvir Shorey's characterization Kabir has been studying engineering for the past 10 years. He leads a carefree lifestyle, which entails going out with friends and not giving a damn about his duties. On a chilly winter night, he encounters a tipsy Kuhu (Mallika Sherawat) at the VT station in Mumbai on his way back home.

ALSO READ: Jaane Jaan: 5 Indian remakes inspired by East Asian films

While Kabir celebrates the fulfilment of a long-held desire to have a lover, Kuhu views him as little more than a dweeb she wants to ride shotgun with. She does things like have him run around in circles while partially undressed, ride unseated bicycles, wear high-heeled ladies' shoes, and dance in circles. Making someone else miserable is the only way Kuhu can solve her problem. As a result of becoming Kuhu's guinea pig, Kabir must learn to control his irrational behaviour.

Despite his initial reluctance, Kabir eventually warms up to Kuhu and comes to empathise with her emotions. After Kabir figures out what Kuhu meant by his acts, the story takes a surprising turn.

Music and soundtrack

Anu Malik composed the film's music, and several of the songs, including Karle Gunaah, Shut Up, Aa Nachle, and Talli, became chartbusters.

The supporting parts feature Vishal Malhotra, Tinu Anand, Sushmita Mukherjee, Gaurav Kapur, Bharti Achrekar, and Sayaji Shinde, while Zeenat Aman makes a special appearance.

ALSO READ: 8 films that made Mallika Sherawat popular