A Look Back at David Dhawan's Biwi No. 1 on Its 26th Anniversary

Celebrating 26 Years of Biwi No. 1

David Dhawan's film Biwi No. 1, which premiered on May 28, 1999, aimed to provide a humorous perspective on the theme of infidelity. The juxtaposition of fun and adultery might seem contradictory to some.

The film's light-hearted approach to a serious subject was not meant to be taken literally, especially with Karisma Kapoor in the lead role, who was dressed in traditional Kanjeevarams and gajras, attempting to emulate Kalpana Ranjani from the original Tamil movie Sathi Leelavathi.

Karisma's performance missed the mark, as the essence of the original story—where a husband seeks an affair due to his wife's perceived lack of appeal—was overshadowed by her portrayal of Biwi No. 1.

What truly makes Biwi No. 1 entertaining is the undeniable chemistry between Salman Khan and Sushmita Sen. Salman portrays Prem, a wayward husband, with a childlike desire for something new, akin to wanting a bigger toy from a fancy store.

Sushmita shines in her role as the Other Woman, infusing the character with a blend of charm and intrigue. Her presence is magnetic, making her a formidable figure in the eyes of both men and women, with many women viewing Aishwarya Rai as a rival.

David Dhawan effectively harnessed Sushmita's alluring persona to create a captivating character.

Reflecting on how Biwi No. 1 portrays infidelity as entertaining, it's clear that Dhawan would approach the film differently today.

He acknowledges this, stating, “If I were to remake it now, I would need to revise the script significantly. It's essential to be mindful of how marriage is depicted in cinema.”

In addition to Sushmita, the film features Anil Kapoor and Tabu as a lively Punjabi couple. Kapoor's decision to take on a supporting role was influenced by his admiration for Kamal Haasan, who played the same character in the original.