Celebrating '25' years of evergreen 'Khoobsurat', director Sanjay Chhel recalls how Sanjay Dutt also turned a 'singer' with 'Aye Shivani' track ! by Chaitanya Padukone

The Sanjay Dutt-Urmila Matondkar starrer evergreen romantic comedy movie Khoobsurat (1999) has just completed its "silver jubilee" (25th) this year! Interestingly in the hit movie directed by creative genius writer-director Sanjay Chhel actor-singer Sanjay Dutt's lead screen character was also called "Sanjay-Sanju' !!!

The hit movie Khoobsurat remains etched in the hearts of audiences as one of Indian cinema's most charming and unforgettable films. Released on November 26, 1999, the film by Sanjay Chhel, was a trend-setter with its refreshing storytelling, endearing performances, and amazing music that still resonates across generations.

In a career-defining shift, Khoobsurat saw Sanjay Dutt shed his rugged, action-hero persona to embrace a romantic comedy role for the first time. His suave charm and handsome looks captivated audiences, showing a new dimension of the actor. Opposite him, screen-sweetheart Urmila Matondkar impressed  in a role that showcased her vivacity and emotional depth, creating a pairing that became the soul of the film.

Produced by Rahul Sughand, Khoobsurat was one of the top films of 1999, celebrated for its relatable humour and heartwarming narrative. The film reportedly a Silver Jubilee run, completing 25 weeks in theatres, a remarkable feat in an era when multiplexes were just emerging.

Besides Sanjay and Urmila, 'Khoobsurat'  boasted a powerhouse supporting cast, including Om Puri, Johnny Lever, Farida Jalal, Ashok Saraf, Jatin Kanakia, Supriya Pilgaonkar, and Anjan Srivastav and even Kashmera Shah in a dance-cameo. Their impeccable comic timing and nuanced portrayals added layers to the story, making it a wholesome cinematic experience.

The film also marked a milestone for writer-director Sanjay Chhel. Known for his fabulous writing on celebrated films like Rangeela and Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Khoobsurat showcased his ability to weave humor and emotions into an engaging narrative. Over his illustrious career, Sanjay Chhel has contributed to over 30 films, but Khoobsurat remains one of his most celebrated directorial ventures.

The music of Khoobsurat has stood the test of time. Composed by Jatin-Lalit, with lyrics by Gulzar and Sanjay Chhel, the soundtracks became a cult anthems.Iconic duet tracks like Aye Shivani” – Sanjay Dutt’s debut as a playback singer, which became a youth anthem and remains a disco and wedding-sangeet favourite, “Ghoonghat Mein Chand Hoga” by Kavita Krishnamurthy and Kumar Sanu that epitomized romance, “Bahut Khoobsurat Ho” – sung by Abhijeet Bhattacharya and Neerja Pandit, a melody that continues to resonate.

Urmila Matondkar shares her reactions,  "Khoobsurat will always be a special film for me because of its beautiful and relatable story. It’s not about an ugly girl becoming beautiful—it’s about a young woman discovering her inner beauty and confidence. I loved playing a diffident unsure girl who, with the help of Sanjay Dutt’s character, slowly finds herself and blossoms into someone strong and self-assured. For both Sanju and me, the roles were a departure from our usual images—Sanju, known for his macho action-hero persona, played a soft, romantic character with such charm. And at the peak of my glamorous career, I got to play someone vulnerable and lost, which was both challenging and exciting. Even today, people come up to me and fondly recall the film, its songs, and even quirky details like the dog’s name, Babu Bhai”

Music duo Jatin-Lalit Pandit reacted "Khoobsurat is a film that will always be special to us because of the fabulous music we created for it. One of the memorable tracks  was the duet song 'Aye Shivani sung by Sanjay Dutt with singer Shradha Pandit and performed on screen. It was unique because it blended a conversational, dialogue-like singing style with a rhythmic melody. We were amazed by Sanjay’s precision and tempo, which we later learned came from his drumming experience. The title track, 'Khoobsurat Ho,' holds a special place in our hearts. Gulzar Saab’s lyrics were poetic yet grounded in everyday language, creating vivid visuals. The composition has a classic touch, with subtle influences from legendary R.D. Burman, but it remained distinctly ours.  Even 25 years later, these songs remain close to our hearts, and we’re proud that they continue to resonate with audiences"

Director  Sanjay Chhel says with sentiments, "Khoobsurat holds a special place in my heart because mega-star Sanjay Dutt trusted me with this project. It was the first time he stepped out of his action-hero image to play a feel-good, romantic character, and he nailed it. His natural comic timing and charm made the film what it is. The duet-song 'Aye Shivani' sung by him was a sensational standout. Even today, I hear from so many real-life Shivani-s who say they love the song. The idea for the track came from Sanjay himself. He said, 'Listen, Bro, let's add this,' and he not only improvised but also lent his voice. I wrote the lyrics, and in just 15 minutes, he recorded the song at Jaliwar Studio—even though he wasn’t feeling his best that day. It became a massive hit and remains iconic. The film was a culmination of so many great elements—memorable performances, Paresh Rawal's hilarious dialogues, and an incredible soundtrack”

The Khoobsurat movie (1999) album was widely acclaimed, earning nominations across major award platforms and becoming a staple of radio playlists and festive celebrations. Even after 25 years, Khoobsurat holds a special place in the hearts of its fans. The film’s humour, emotional resonance, and memorable music continue to make it a favourite across generations.

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