Film
Aankhen
Other titles called Aankhen: the 2002 film.
A chaotic 1993 Hindi action-comedy where two hapless brothers stumble into political intrigue and assassination plots. It's Govinda at peak physical comedy, careening through 170 minutes of slapstick, one-liners, and increasingly absurd set-pieces. Gloriously unashamed entertainment for anyone who loves Bollywood excess, unlikely heroes, and the kind of film that makes perfect sense at 2am.
Should you watch it?
Watch it if you like your caper comedy loose and cheerful, with two bumbling slackers stumbling into a political plot and a broad, mischievous sense of fun that doesn't mind being silly.
Skip it if you want a tight, serious thriller, since the comedy is broad and the runtime stretches past nearly three hours with plenty of slack in the middle.
What it asks of you: Settle in for a long, sprawling ride that shifts gears often, moving from slapstick to chase scenes to grim political business without much warning.
Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.
If you liked this
Sholay1975
The template for Bollywood action cinema. Two rogues on a redemptive mission against a charismatic villain, shot with real style and genuine stakes that influenced everything that followed, including Aankhen's DNA.
But At nearly three hours, it moves at a 1970s pace—meditative stretches between the thrills might test modern patience.
Andaz Apna Apna1994
Two-hero comedy chaos with Aamir and Salman as competing fools. It has the same anarchic energy as Aankhen—jokes stacked on set-pieces stacked on absurdity, earnestness completely optional.
But Wildly uneven; some bits are inspired, others grind to a halt. Comedy from this era doesn't always travel well.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge1995
Peak '90s Bollywood romance with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, lush cinematography, and the decade's definitive feel-good energy. It has heart alongside the spectacle, grounding you emotionally.
But The second half lurches toward melodrama, and the gender politics haven't aged brilliantly. It's safer than Aankhen by design.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Aankhen
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
Gunday2014
Both center on pairs of brothers navigating crime and political chaos through loyalty and dumb luck, but Gunday trades slapstick for genuine stakes.
Two petty criminals, Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor, in 1970s Kolkata—stylish, violent, unexpectedly tender. Same DNA as Aankhen (brotherhood, crime, unlikely heroes) but filtered through a grittier, more contemporary lens and shot with visual flair.
But Darker and slower than the frenetic '93 original. The violence is real, the sentiment genuine; it's not asking you to laugh at chaos.
More like this (6)
Baazigar1993
Shah Rukh Khan's villain turn the same year Aankhen came out—darker, sleeker, a thriller that takes itself seriously. Shows the range of what Hindi cinema was doing simultaneously.
But A genuinely twisted romantic thriller; if you want pure fun like Aankhen, this psychological spiral goes somewhere bleaker.
Hera Pheri2000
Govinda in his comic prime with Akshay Kumar, riffing on absurdist heist comedy. Three well-meaning idiots and a criminal conspiracy; it's lighter and tighter than Aankhen, nearly perfect in its proportions.
But Comes seven years later, so you're seeing Govinda past his physical peak, though still formidable. The formula is slightly more refined, less wild.
Ek Tha Tiger2012
A cleaner, more contemporary action-thriller with Salman Khan: sleeker plotting, international locations, the modern Bollywood action template. Shows how the genre evolved from 1993.
But Technically superior but emotionally cold. You'll miss the sweaty, earnest chaos of earlier films.
Maine Pyar Kiya1989
Salman Khan and Bhagyashree redefine romantic Bollywood just before Aankhen's era. Beautiful, sprawling, genuinely moving—proof the decade could do sentiment as well as slapstick.
But Nearly four hours of romance; if you're after Aankhen's kinetic comedy, this will feel glacial and devoted to feelings.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai1998
Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Karan Johar at the height of '90s Hindi cinema romance. Enormously watchable, endlessly quotable, the film that defined a generation's emotional language.
But Unabashedly sentimental and melodramatic. None of Aankhen's anarchic energy; it's pure earnest feeling.
Rang De Basanti2006
Both pit regular men against political machinery, but where Aankhen is anarchic and forgiving, this is systemic and furious.
Aamir Khan leading a ensemble of young idealists into political conspiracy and explosive action. Modern, tightly plotted, thrilling. It takes the political-thriller skeleton and fills it with real anger and real wit.
But Earnest to the point of lecture. Aankhen's philosophy is 'don't think, just laugh'; this one demands you care about corruption and corruption.
People
Cast
GovindaBunnu / Gaurishankar
Chunky PandayMunnu
Shilpa ShirodkarChandramukhi
RaageshwariPriya Mohan
Ritu ShivpuriRitu
Raj BabbarChief Minister / Sarang
Shakti KapoorTejeshwar
Kader KhanHasmukh Rai
Sadashiv AmrapurkarInspector Pyare Mohan
Gulshan GroverNatwar Shah (uncredited)
BinduAnuradha
Harish PatelMonto (uncredited)