Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

1971

When ANDAZ APNA APNA released in 1994, the film was barely an average success at the box office. In fact it had come across as quite a surprise because the film boasted of an A grade cast comprising of Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor and Raveena Tandon. While everyone believed that the film would be a major success, it wasn't the case to be!

Now let's come to recently released 1971. Here the case was just the opposite. Director Amrit Sagar was making his debut, there was near-zero promotion, no 'star' graced the cast list and last but not the least, everyone was under a misconception that 1971 was a war film.

Yes, 'misconception', since the film was something that was altogether different.

Devoid of any jingoism or below the belt 'bhashan-baazi', the film was mainly an escape drama that kept you engrossed throughout it's two hour duration. Sadly, the fact came out too late and till that time the film was out of theaters.

But there is good news now as just like ANDAZ APNA APNA, even 1971 has proved to be a major HIT on the home video circuit. While ANDAZ APNA APNA sits pretty as one of the top selling DVD/VCD more than a decade after its release, the word of mouth is immense in case of 1971 too as there is a sudden splurge witnessed in its DVD sales.

Released smartly by STUDIO 18, the film is now carrying superb audience reviews and blogs/forums/chat sites are agog with appreciation about the film which is resulting in an ever increasing demand for the film.

The film has got the due that it truly deserves and finally Manoj Bajpai too has a success under his belt!