Raveena Tandon reveals how a prank united her and Karisma on 'Andaz Apna Apna' set
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon recently appeared as a special guest on the dance reality show 'India's Best Dancer' Season 5, where she shared a candid behind-the-scenes story about how she and fellow actress Karisma Kapoor broke the ice during the filming of the cult classic 'Andaz Apna Apna'. The revelation offered a rare, unscripted look at the chemistry — and initial awkwardness — behind one of Hindi cinema's most beloved comedies.
The On-Set Equation No One Saw
When host Harssh Limbachiyaa asked the two actresses whether laughter came naturally on set, Raveena was quick to confirm it did — almost too naturally. 'We were always laughing, laughing in every scene. You will see a scene when the kidnapper's call comes in, asking for so much money, and Aamir is on the phone. I'm laughing on the side in that particular scene,' she said.
Raveena also acknowledged that the four leads — Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor, and herself — were not always on speaking terms with one another despite working in close quarters. According to her, a shared respect for the craft and a genuine love for cinema ultimately helped them set their differences aside and deliver a film that has stood the test of time.
The Prank That Changed Everything
The most memorable story Raveena shared was of a night shoot that ran from 9 PM to 5 AM, during which she and Karisma were both physically tied to a pillar, back to back, as their scene demanded. During the dinner break, the male members of the crew and cast — led by director Raj Kumar Santoshi — decided to pull a prank on the two actresses, quietly slipping away and leaving the entire floor empty while the women remained bound.
'Raj ji was like, 'Everyone clear out, the whole floor', and everyone left. We were alone on the floor like this,' Raveena recalled. Stranded and unable to move, Raveena finally broke the silence with a simple offer: 'Juice piyegi? You want juice?' Karisma responded that she was hungry, and just like that, the two began talking — and a friendship was quietly born.
Karisma on 'Ye Raat Aur Ye Doori' and Nervous Beginnings
Karisma Kapoor, for her part, reflected on the first song sequence all four lead actors shot together — 'Ye Raat Aur Ye Doori' — filmed at the iconic Mehboob Studio. 'All 4 of us were quite new in the industry, and we were all so nervous at that time, shooting with Raj ji,' she said.
Karisma noted that pulling off a comedy song is deceptively difficult. 'The song has a certain pace, then we have to pull off the comedy, and keep the energy going, the flow going,' she explained. She credited the film's enduring appeal to the extraordinary comic timing all four actors achieved together, calling 'Andaz Apna Apna' 'always a great learning experience.'
Where to Watch
'India's Best Dancer' Season 5 is currently airing on Sony Entertainment Television and streaming on Sony LIV. The episode featuring Raveena Tandon and Karisma Kapoor is expected to resonate strongly with fans of the 1994 film, many of whom have followed its cult journey from box-office disappointment to beloved classic. As the film continues to gain new admirers across generations, stories like these add a rich, personal layer to its legacy.