Ready turns 15: Anees Bazmee shares nostalgic tribute to Salman Khan hit
Synopsis
Fifteen years on, Ready hasn't faded — and Anees Bazmee's emotional tribute makes that clear. The 2011 Salman Khan comedy remains a cultural touchstone, and its anniversary is a reminder that Bazmee's formula of high-energy comedy and chart-topping music has few rivals in mainstream Bollywood.
Key Takeaways
Anees Bazmee shared a nostalgic social media post on 28 May 2025 marking 15 years of Ready .
The 2011 film starred Salman Khan and Asin in the lead roles, with a cast that included Paresh Rawal and Mahesh Manjrekar .
Special appearances featured Ajay Devgn , Sanjay Dutt , Kangana Ranaut , and Zareen Khan .
The film was one of the biggest commercial successes of 2011 , with hit songs 'Character Dheela' and 'Dhinka Chika' .
Bazmee's filmography also includes Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 , cementing his status as a top Bollywood entertainer-director.
Filmmaker Anees Bazmee took a trip down memory lane on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, as his blockbuster comedy Ready — starring Salman Khan — marked 15 years since its theatrical release. Bazmee shared a heartfelt post on social media, calling the film 'less like a film, more like a memory we all grew up with together.'
What Bazmee Shared
The director posted a throwback collage featuring himself alongside Salman Khan from the sets of Ready. A second image showed the full cast and crew together, apparently captured during the filming of the popular song 'Ishq Ne Tere Yeh Kaisa Kaam Kardiya'.
In his note, Bazmee wrote: '15 years later… and Ready still feels less like a film, more like a memory we all grew up with together. What stays with me isn't just the scenes or the songs, it's the love people continue to give it even today. The messages, the smiles, the nostalgia… all of it has kept this journey alive far beyond the screen. Thank you for giving so much love to Ready.'
About the Film
Released in 2011, Ready was directed by Anees Bazmee and featured Salman Khan and Asin in the lead roles. The supporting cast included Paresh Rawal, Mahesh Manjrekar, Manoj Joshi, Puneet Issar, Arya Babbar, Nikitin Dheer, and Akhilendra Mishra. The film also featured special appearances by Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt, Kangana Ranaut, and Zareen Khan, along with comedian Johnny Lever's daughter Jamie Lever.
The film was produced by Bhushan Kumar, Rajat Rawail, Nitin Manmohan, Krishan Kumar, and Sohail Khan. It emerged as one of the biggest commercial successes of 2011 and gained widespread popularity for its music, particularly the tracks 'Character Dheela' and 'Dhinka Chika'.
Bazmee's Blockbuster Legacy
The anniversary serves as a reminder of Bazmee's consistent track record with crowd-pleasing entertainers. His filmography includes No Entry, Welcome, Singh Is Kinng, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 — each a commercial success in its own right. Notably, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 became one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of 2022, underscoring his continued relevance in mainstream Bollywood.
Audience Response
The post drew a wave of nostalgia from fans online, with many revisiting clips of the film's iconic songs. Ready continues to enjoy a strong rewatch culture on streaming platforms, a testament to its enduring appeal more than a decade after release. The film's anniversary also reignites conversation around a possible sequel, though no official announcement has been made.
Point of View
Built on physical comedy, ensemble casts, and earworm songs, has struggled to find successors. Bazmee himself is one of the few directors still reliably delivering that formula, as Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 proved. The continued affection for Ready also signals that audiences are not purely chasing prestige cinema; the appetite for uncomplicated, high-energy entertainers remains large and underserved.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ready released and who directed it?
Ready was released in 2011 and was directed by Anees Bazmee. The film starred Salman Khan and Asin in the lead roles and became one of the biggest commercial hits of that year.
Why is Anees Bazmee trending today?
Anees Bazmee shared a nostalgic social media post on 28 May 2025 to mark the 15th anniversary of Ready. He posted throwback images from the sets and wrote a heartfelt note thanking audiences for their continued love for the film.
Who were the special appearances in Ready?
Ready featured special appearances by Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt, Kangana Ranaut, and Zareen Khan. Comedian Johnny Lever's daughter Jamie Lever also made an appearance in the film.
What are Ready's most popular songs?
The film is best remembered for its energetic soundtrack, particularly 'Character Dheela' and 'Dhinka Chika', both of which became chartbusters in 2011 and remain widely recognised today.
What other films has Anees Bazmee directed?
Anees Bazmee is known for directing several Bollywood blockbusters including No Entry, Welcome, Singh Is Kinng, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 was among the highest-grossing Hindi films of 2022.
