A recent episode of IMDb's nostalgia-driven series 'Dekh Bhais' has sparked a wave of fond memories for fans of 2000s Hindi comedies, particularly those featuring Riteish Deshmukh's distinctive brand of humor. The episode revisited some of the most memorable comedies of that era, with a special focus on Deshmukh's cross-dressing roles, an unexpected yet unforgettable hallmark of his early career.
One film that stood out was 'Apna Sapna Money Money' (2006), remembered for its absurd situations and Deshmukh's uninhibited performance. The film revolves around a group of characters in a mad race to get rich. Deshmukh plays Kishan, a young man from Goa known for his quick-buck schemes and talent for disguises, including dressing as a woman.
Adding to the nostalgic throwback, Rohan Joshi, one of the hosts of 'Dekh Bhais', shared a personal anecdote about watching 'Apna Sapna Money Money' during a long bus journey and being unable to shake off its catchphrases. He laughingly admitted, "Even today, every time money is credited to my bank account, a voice in my head goes, 'Jai Jai Money'". The phrase "Jai Jai Money" is from a song of the same name in the movie. The lyrics celebrate the importance of money.
Riteish Deshmukh himself joined the online conversation, responding with his signature self-deprecating humor. When asked by Aaditya Kulshreshth ("Kullu") to name other films where he had taken on similar avatars, Deshmukh wrote, “Hahaha. 'Apna Sapna Money Money', 'Humshakals', and a few IIFA awards!!! Jai Jai Money. Also, my character was named after Sania Mirza,” revealing the quirky inspiration behind the character's name. 'Apna Sapna Money Money' marked the first time Deshmukh appeared in a female disguise on screen. In 'Humshakals' (2014), Deshmukh, along with Saif Ali Khan and Ram Kapoor, cross-dressed, though the film was not well-received.
The hosts of 'Dekh Bhais' even coined a tongue-in-cheek term for this niche style of comedy, “Ritfu”, to describe Riteish Deshmukh's fearless, over-the-top comic universe.
Deshmukh's role in 'Apna Sapna Money Money' is fondly remembered for his comic timing, where he played a conman disguised as a woman. To convincingly play his character Sania, Deshmukh observed and imitated the women on set, and even tried behaving like a woman for 20 days. He found it challenging, particularly the scrutiny and time it took to dress up. Despite the challenges, Deshmukh embraced the role, aiming for a realistic portrayal rather than a caricature.
