Director Mansoor Khan has in the past called Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar a “film of fate.” Akshay Kumar was originally to star in the film alongside Amir Khan and Nagma, but fate had other plans. Speaking of the film’s rejection, Akshay said in an earlier interview at noon: “Apna screen test diya maine, for the role of Deepak Tijori. And they didn’t like it. And apparently I was crap, so they removed me. “

The youth drama Mansoor Khan was released on May 22, 1993. The filmmaker, who made his film debut in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak in 1992, always intended Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar as his first film. At the Mumbai Film Festival (2016), he shared with film critics Anupama Chopra and Rajeev Masand how the film turned out. He began by sharing how he was inspired to write the character Sanju from his own life; it was an autobiographical role played by Aamir Khan.

Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar released in 1992. (Photo: Express Archives)

He also revealed why it took him so long to finally start filming Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. He said: “I couldn’t write it. Because I didn’t know how to write such a topic, and I wasn’t really a filmmaker. So I didn’t know what worked with the audience and what didn’t, but I knew what I wanted. When you see what I wrote then, it was a completely different scenario. There was no father figure, there were two brothers, where the older brother was almost like a father, so I researched different relationships, it was quite a crazy zone. So it was good that I gave up and my dad (Nasir Khan) told me that if you’re working on your script, why don’t you work on mine, I want to run Aamir. I actually meant Amir for Jo Jeeta as well, but I’m lucky I didn’t do it first. Qayamat Se Qayamat So he gave me a real idea of ​​where I should go, and I had this experience here. ”

Rivalry between model and Rajput schools represents rivalry between classes.

Mansoor’s assistant director, actor Deven Bhojani, who played Ghanshyama or Ghansu in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, calls the film a life-changing event. In an honest chat with indianexpress.com, Deven shared: “We all just finished college and it was like vacationing for Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. Aamir (Khan) and I were in the same college and I was doing Gujarati theater, so Aamir knew me from that time. He saw and enjoyed my work in Kaafila and Malgudi Days, so he made sure I was part of Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. The film changed my life in a way. Not only was I cast in a film like Ghanshu, but I was also an assistant to director Mansoor Khan on the film. That’s where my journey as an actor and filmmaker began; people began to notice my work. Of course, people saw me as an actor before, but my ‘director banne ka keeda’ was there from the beginning and this film gave me the opportunity. “

Aamir Khan and Ayesha Jhulka in a picture by Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. (Photo: Express Archives)

He added: “I started receiving acting offers mostly after Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar and gradually I started to do television. Whatever I learned from Mansoor, sir, came in handy later as I directed Sarabhai V / s Sarabhai and other shows. Then I decided to go to the USA to do filmmaking and directing. “

Deven has fond memories of working with Aamir. He said: “We spent a lot of time together as a unit during the filming. We mostly shot in Ooty and Kodaikanal and Aamir and I both quite liked chess, so we played them in our spare time. “

When asked, what is the memory of his teammate – Aamira Khan – that he still vividly remembers. He said: “There was a puppy in Ooty that Aamir really stuck to. He would still play with it and spend a lot of time with it. When we finished shooting the film, he asked about the puppy and if he could adopt it. The people were quite happy and Aamir even brought the puppy with him to Mumbai. He named him Peanut, the dog was with him a long time later. “

Photo by Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar.

While Aamir is known as an actor of serious methods, he is also quite popular for his pranks on the set. Deven shared one such case. “Since I was quite young to shoot and as an assistant director, I was in charge of continuing the supervisor (a member of the film crew who oversees the film’s continuity, including wardrobe, props, dressing, hair, make-up and actors’ actions during the scene). Aamir kept pulling my leg, asking me questions like ‘Did I make two or three folds of my shirt sleeves?’ “What colored socks did I have on the last shot?” and I would say, ‘I’m not interested in the color of the socks, because they aren’t visible on the stage and I’m not interested in the sleeves, they should just be above the elbows,’ said Deven.

Pooja Bedi, who played the brat Devik in the film, was called “gold digger” in Aamir’s Sanja, but he disagrees and called the expedition “Archie Comic”. In the discussion at MAMI, Pooja shared how Veronica’s brat was and Aamir was Archie, no one was “bad” here, only “playful” and “colorful”.

In an interview with indianexpress.com, Pooja shared how she feels proud to be part of the film, so remarkable, yet so entertaining and clean. She said: “It is a film that is entertaining, clean and full of nostalgia about the school days, friendship, love and crush that resonate with each of us. The songs immortalized the film, especially Pehl Nasha, who still plays on the radio in the original and numerous remixed versions. It’s the simplicity and kinship of the characters and the storyline, which is still green. “

“The film was the mega point of my career and my flying red dress Pehla Nas in the car keeps me alive and in people’s memories for three decades. If anyone saw Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, he can never forget that the flying red dress in the song immortalized me. It was such a fun filming and the best thing that ever happened to my public image and to keep me in the memory of everyone. “

Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar was much more related to the college or school dramas we have today. While the film’s stellar cast has aged as good wine, the film’s memories and songs remain young to this day.

(Posts by Mimansa Shekhar)