Mubarakan turns 9: Anees Bazmee thanks fans of Arjun-Anil Kapoor comedy
Synopsis
Nine years on, Mubarakan still draws a heartfelt post from its director. Anees Bazmee's anniversary note for the Arjun-Anil Kapoor comedy is a reminder of a filmmaker who has quietly built one of Bollywood's most commercially consistent comedy catalogues — from No Entry to Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 — while also carrying a film delayed 22 years to the screen.
Key Takeaways
Anees Bazmee celebrated 9 years of Mubarakan on 28 July 2025 with a gratitude post on social media.
The film starred Arjun Kapoor , Anil Kapoor , Athiya Shetty , and Ileana D'Cruz .
Bazmee's directorial career spans over three decades, beginning with Hulchul in 1995 .
His long-delayed thriller Naam – The Missing Identity , shot in 2004 , finally released on 22 November 2024 after nearly 22 years .
On 11 July 2025 , Bazmee also marked 34 years of his 1992 film Aaj Ka Goonda Raaj .
Filmmaker Anees Bazmee marked the 9th anniversary of his comedy Mubarakan on Tuesday, 28 July 2025, sharing the film's poster on social media and expressing heartfelt gratitude to audiences who made it a memorable chapter in his career. The film, which released in 2016, starred Arjun Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Athiya Shetty, and Ileana D'Cruz in lead roles.
Bazmee's Anniversary Note
Sharing the poster, Bazmee wrote: '9 YEARS of MUBARAKAN. Just wanted to say thank you for the love, for the memories, for everything. Thank you to each and every one of you for making this journey so special. #gratitude.' The post reflects the filmmaker's characteristic warmth toward his audience — a sentiment he has expressed consistently across anniversary milestones.
About the Film
Mubarakan centres on Karan and Charan, identical twins played by Arjun Kapoor, who fall in love with Sweety and Nafisa and enlist the help of their paternal uncle Kartar Singh, portrayed by Anil Kapoor, to navigate their romantic complications. The ensemble cast also included Neha Sharma, Karan Kundrra, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Sanjay Kapoor.
Bazmee's Career in Context
Bazmee made his directorial debut with Hulchul in 1995 and broke into commercial success with Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha in 1998, one of that year's highest-grossing Bollywood releases. He subsequently built a reputation as one of Hindi cinema's most reliable comedy directors, helming blockbusters including No Entry, Welcome, Singh Is Kinng, Ready, Welcome Back, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. He also drew critical appreciation for the romantic thriller Deewangee.
The Long-Delayed 'Naam'
Notably, Bazmee's action thriller Naam – The Missing Identity, starring Ajay Devgn, Sameera Reddy, and Bhumika Chawla among others, had a particularly unusual journey. Shot on 20 November 2004 and originally slated for release on 25 February 2005, the film was delayed by nearly 22 years due to various reasons before finally releasing on 22 November 2024 to mixed reviews — a rare case in Indian cinema's history.
A Director Who Celebrates His Past
Bazmee has made a habit of publicly honouring his filmography. On 11 July 2025, he shared the poster of his 1992 action drama Aaj Ka Goonda Raaj to mark its 34th anniversary, writing: 'Thank you so much to the entire cast, crew, and everyone who made it a part of 90s cinema history. Gratitude always.' This pattern of public acknowledgement underscores a filmmaker deeply connected to his body of work across three decades. With Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 still fresh in audience memory, Bazmee's next move will be closely watched.
Point of View
But they point to something more substantive: a director who has outlasted most of his contemporaries in the comedy space without a single franchise anchor until Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. The Mubarakan milestone is also a quiet reminder that ensemble comedies — once Bollywood's safest commercial bet — have grown harder to greenlight in a streaming-first landscape. Whether Bazmee can replicate the Bhool Bhulaiyaa formula without the horror-comedy hook will define his next phase.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mubarakan about?
Mubarakan is a 2016 Bollywood comedy directed by Anees Bazmee, starring Arjun Kapoor in a dual role as identical twins Karan and Charan, who fall in love and seek help from their uncle Kartar Singh, played by Anil Kapoor, to manage their romantic entanglements. The film also featured Athiya Shetty, Ileana D'Cruz, Neha Sharma, and Karan Kundrra.
Why did Anees Bazmee post about Mubarakan?
Bazmee posted to mark the film's 9th anniversary on 28 July 2025, sharing the poster with a note thanking audiences for their love and support over the years.
What is Anees Bazmee known for?
Anees Bazmee is known for directing some of Bollywood's biggest comedy blockbusters, including No Entry, Welcome, Singh Is Kinng, Ready, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. He made his directorial debut with Hulchul in 1995.
What happened with Bazmee's film Naam – The Missing Identity?
Naam – The Missing Identity, an action thriller starring Ajay Devgn, was shot in November 2004 but delayed for nearly 22 years before releasing on 22 November 2024, receiving mixed reviews. It is one of the longest-delayed mainstream Bollywood releases on record.
Which other anniversary did Anees Bazmee recently celebrate?
On 11 July 2025, Bazmee marked 34 years of his 1992 action drama Aaj Ka Goonda Raaj, sharing the poster and thanking the cast and crew for contributing to 1990s cinema history.
