The date October 16, 1998, marked the release of two of Bollywood's most popular films that year. Karan Johar's directorial debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, released along with David Dhawan's comic caper, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Both films celebrated 21 years of release on October 16, 2019. Bade Miyan Chote Miyan went onto become one of the most entertaining films of the 1990s, which is now forgotten amid the noise of popular, well-marketed and financed Bollywood films. Here's looking back at this comedy film that still tickles our funny bone.

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Bade Miyan Chote Miyan was directed by David Dhawan

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Bade Miyan Chote Miyan was promoted with the tagline, 'The Greatest Entertainers are back' because it marked the collaboration of Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda on the silver screen. Previously, the duo worked in the 1991 film, Hum, but with this film, Amitabh and Govinda were seen essaying the double role of police officers and thieves respectively. Inspired by William Shakespeare's play, The Comedy Of Errors', the film witnessed Amitabh and Govinda at the prime of their game. Here are three reasons why Bade Miyan Chote Miyan proved to be a hugely successful film for the actor duo. 

1. The music 

Viju Shah was the music composer for Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and given how popular the songs are, one can safely say that he did a phenomenal job. Like other films of David Dhawan, this film also boasted an eclectic soundtrack, with songs such as Deta Jai Jo Re, Assi Chuktki Nabbe Taal, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and the iconic song, Makhna, which had Madhuri Dixit in a special appearance. However, the most popular song in the film is Kisi Disco Main Jaaye. With vocals provided by Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik and picturised on Govinda and Raveena Tandon, the song remains popular to this day. 

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2. The entertainment quotient 

When it is a film by David Dhawan, one can expect tonnes of comedy, action, romance and star power. Bade Miyan Chote Miyan was packaged as the quintessential Bollywood masala film. Amitabh and Govinda set the screen on fire with their chemistry, wonderful performances in their double roles and impeccable comic timing. With supporting actors such as Satish Kaushik, Anupam Kher, Asrani, Kader Khan and Paresh Rawal, the film ensured that a steady stream of comedy was on offer to keep the audiences constantly entertained. Govinda even notched up a Filmfare Award for Best Actor nomination for this film. 

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3. The pairing of Amitabh and Govinda

The pairing of Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda in Bade Miyan Chote Miyan ensured that the film was a success from the first day itself. With the double role of police officers and thieves, Amitabh and Govinda ruled the screen with their great character interplay. People loved Govinda's scene-stealing turn as the simpleton thief, and it is considered as one of his most enjoyable performances. Despite competition from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, the film went on to become the second highest-grossing film of 1998.