In today’s times, the trend of releasing South films in dubbed Hindi versions has picked up substantially. In fact, in recent times, the biggest hits in Hindi which have worked in cinemas in recent times were all dubbed films, like Pushpa, RRR and KGF.
25 years ago, a reverse trend was seen. A blockbuster Hindi film was dubbed in a Southern language and was released in cinemas. The film was none other than Raja Hindustani, starring Aamir Khan and Karisma Kapoor. It was released on November 11, 1996, and emerged as one of the blockbusters of Bollywood. 4 months later, on March 21, 1997, Raja Hindustani was released in Telugu with the title Prema Bandham.
Sadly, Prema Bandham failed big time at the box office. As per trade analyst Komal Nahta’s Film Information magazine, director Dharmesh Darshan had objected to the Telugu version as he was apprehensive about the dubbing quality. He had also expressed the fear that if the Telugu version of his film didn’t do well, it would spoil his reputation in the Telugu film market. Unfortunately, Prema Bandham indeed bombed at the ticket window.
Bollywood Hungama recently spoke to Dharmesh Darshan exclusively on this episode. When asked why he had objected to Raja Hindustani’s Telugu version, he said, “The dubbing quality was not good. The film had become such a big hit (in its original version). If a better quality of dubbing was done, it would have become a hit even in the Telugu version. Initially, everybody was irritable with me as to why am I making noise over this issue. However, when it failed, everybody agreed that the director was correct.”
Dharmesh Darshan continued, “The box office is the deciding factor after all. So, when the film didn’t do well at the box office in Hyderabad, everybody began to wonder why it is so when the original version has been a blockbuster in every corner of the country.”
The debacle of Prema Bandhan proved how every film needs to be technically superior to click. Dharmesh Darshan remarked, “Raja Hindustani is a simple film. However, every little sound makes a difference, and this is not applicable only in the mega, event films. It’s not that the sound is important only in films like RRR, Baahubali, KGF etc. Films which have very good dialogues, songs, feelings, expressions etc also need to have the right kind of experience, sound wise.”
Dharmesh Darshan then narrated, “I was shown two scenes dubbed in Telugu to get my feedback. When I saw those scenes, I told them the truth that it was not good. I felt bad as Raja Hindustani was made with so much effort. I was hoping they’d not release the dubbed version.”
Why didn’t he go for a re-dub? That way, the dubbing quality could have improved. To which, Dharmesh replied, “I was very busy with Dhadkan (2000) by then. The dubbing was done after the film was released in the original Hindi version. 3-4 months after the release, I learnt that the producers are dubbing it in Telugu.”
Raja Hindustani’s success in Telugu would have been significant, especially in today’s times, when South films are making waves in the Hindi version. Dharmesh Darshan revealed, “That had happened. Just before my film, Hum Aapke Hai Koun (1994) was dubbed in South languages and had worked. The success of Hum Aapke Hai Koun tempted the producers of Raja Hindustani to similarly go for a regional version release. However, for that, a lot of effort should have been put in.”
Dharmesh Darshan sighed before signing off, “If Raja Hindustani’s Telugu version had worked, it would have been another feather in my cap.”
Bollywood Hungama had revealed in February 2022 that 25 years ago, Dharmesh Darshan had moved the Bombay High Court against producers Karim Morani, Bunty Soorma and Aly Morani of Cineyug Films Pvt. Ltd over the Telugu version’s release. The director had objected to this development and had also claimed that there was an understanding between him and the producers that the film would be produced in Hindi only.
However, the court dismissed this notion as there was no written agreement to this effect between Dharmesh Darshan and Karim Morani, Bunty Soorma and Aly Morani.
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