Premium18 years of Bhagam Bhag: Duo of Akshay Kumar and Govinda that had fans in splits
Reliving the chaos, Priyadarshan’s Bhagam Bhag celebrates 18 years of laughter.
Last Updated: 12.50 PM, Dec 22, 2024
18 years ago, Bollywood witnessed the release of a rib-tickling comedy that has since etched itself into the hearts of audiences. Priyadarshan’s Bhagam Bhag, released on December 22, 2006, continues to be celebrated for its madcap humor, star-studded ensemble, and unforgettable dialogues. The film remains a quintessential example of Bollywood’s knack for blending slapstick comedy with a gripping storyline.
Neeraj Vora wrote Bhagam Bhag, which Dhilin Mehta and Suniel Shetty produced. Lara Dutta, Rajpal Yadav, Jackie Shroff, Arbaaz Khan, Shakti Kapoor, Manoj Joshi, Razak Khan, Sharat Saxena, and Asrani are among the supporting cast members, which also includes Akshay Kumar, Govinda, and Paresh Rawal as chief protagonists.
Plot full of twists and turns
The plot revolves around a troupe of actors who go to London for a performance but end up betraying each other and becoming the archenemies of a drug dealer and a gang due to false murder accusations. In order to win over the director, two actors competing for the lead role seek out a female actor. As they become entangled in the web of illicit drug trades and unsolved murder cases, chaos ensues.
Govinda's hilarious portrayal of Babla and Akshay Kumar's impeccable comic timing as Bunty created a duo that left audiences in splits. Paresh Rawal, as the troupe’s harried director Champak, added another layer of hilarity to the proceedings. Lara Dutta’s performance as the mysterious Munni gave the film its necessary intrigue and charm.
Influence of other films
The 1958 film Vertigo served as the inspiration for the Malayalam film Mannar Mathai Speaking, from which Bhagam Bhag borrowed certain story points. Brahmanandam Drama Company was the Telugu title of the 2008 remake of the film.
Bhagam Bhag took its basic premise from the Malayalam feature Mannar Mathai Speaking and its comedic elements from the similarly titled Nadodikkattu. Bindhaast, a 1999 Marathi thriller that Priyadarshan had previously adapted into Snegithiye and Raakilipattu in Tamil and Malayalam, provided the inspiration for the climax's plot twist. Inspiration for the final comedic scene came from the legendary 1963 film It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.
Despite critical qualms, the film was a financial smash upon its theatrical premiere on Christmas Eve, 2006, and went on to become the ninth highest-grossing film of the year.
Sequel in the works?
Rumour has it that Akshay Kumar purchased the rights to Bhagam Bhag from Shemaroo in November 2024 and is actively working on Bhagam Bhag 2. The makers have initiated the scriptwriting process for the film, entrusting a new team of writers to recreate the infectious spirit and hilarious antics of the original. This reunion film is likely to go into production in 2025 and release in 2026. It will reunite the original cast, including Paresh Rawal, Govinda, and Kumar.
Meanwhile, Bhagam Bhag, a celebration of chaos, camaraderie, and comedy, continues to bring joy to audiences, proving that some movies never age. It’s a movie that reminds us of Bollywood’s golden era of comedy and leaves us hoping for more films of its ilk in the years to come.
Streaming availability
Bhagam Bhag is currently available to stream on Prime Video, ShemarooMe (OTTplay Premium), and Lionsgate Play (OTTplay Premium).