Rare pic: Rishi Kapoor with Sridevi in Banjaran

Yet another title role AND a double-role for Sridevi. 

Harmesh Malhotra's appreciation for his leading lady was famously in print, and he bet the house on Sri offering her a film every year from the days of Nagina. Some she accepted, others she rejected. But the relationship of mentor and muse remained intact. She spoke highly of the producer/director and vice versa. 

Rare pic: Rishi Kapoor with Sridevi in Banjaran 

Sridevi on film in the 1990s in Bollywood : Lamhe, Army, Khuda Gawah, Banjaran

 Sridevi on film in the 1990s in Bollywood : Lamhe, Army, Khuda Gawah, Banjaran 

Rare pic: Poster of Banjaran with Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi: A Colourful Cult Classic That Defied Expectations

A colourful, loud... success!  

Though Banjaran won no favours from critics, something about the colours, dances, uncomplicated script and screenplay, the repeated to death reincarnation theme, yet another double role for Sridevi.... it just worked for the fans. 

Released on November 8, 1991, during the Diwali weekend, Banjaran (Wanderer.. or Gypsy) was a Hindi romantic reincarnation drama directed by Harmesh Malhotra, starring Sridevi as Reshma (and her past-life avatar Devi) opposite Rishi Kapoor as Kumar. The film blended age-old themes of forbidden love between a nomadic gypsy girl and a wealthy landowner’s son, family feuds, and lavish song-and-dance sequences set to Laxmikant–Pyarelal’s music with lyrics by Anand Bakshi. The same team behind the supreme success of earlier blockbuster, Nagina. 

Despite mixed initial box-office reports—often described as an average “commission earner” or sleeper hit rather than a blockbuster—it emerged as a surprise success, particularly in smaller centers and interiors. Word-of-mouth, driven by Sridevi’s energetic performances and chart-topping tracks like “Teri Banjaran,” "Desh badalte hai", "Mere dil ki galiyon main", helped it gain legs. Sridevi reportedly watched it incognito in theaters and was delighted by audience reactions to her dances. 

What worked was the film’s unapologetic masala appeal: vibrant costumes, high-energy choreography (often by Saroj Khan), double roles, reincarnation drama, and pure escapism. The chemistry between Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor, combined with Pran’s pivotal role, delivered emotional highs amid spectacle. Songs racked up massive views even decades later, turning it into a musical evergreen for many viewers. 

Critics were largely unimpressed. Many dismissed it as a formulaic, over-the-top hodgepodge—loud, repetitive, with continuity issues, incoherent costumes, and a paint-by-numbers simplistic plot. It was seen as a step down from Sridevi’s more acclaimed work, prioritising spectacle over substance at a time when Hindi cinema was shifting gears toward different, more natural narratives. 

Yet Banjaran found an unexpected massive cult following in Russia. Like many Bollywood films from the Soviet and post-Soviet eras, its bright visuals, emotional storytelling, music, and fairy-tale romance resonated deeply. Russia’s long-standing love for Indian cinema—bolstered by dedicated channels and cultural exchanges—embraced its vibrant escapism. The film’s technicolour aesthetics and heartfelt (if melodramatic) tale of destined love appealed to audiences craving optimism and spectacle, cementing its enduring popularity there. Unlike Western movies (which were mostly banned) simmering with violence and sex, the family-friendly viewing on Indian cinema did wonders with India's northern neighbours. Dubbed Hindi films do incredibly well--and have done so since the time of Raj Kapoor - to Rishi Kapoor. When Sridevi attended a film festival in Moscow in 2017, she was welcomed like the screen Queen she was. Sridevi's also appeared in Russian magazine covers (without her knowledge in the 90s!) and her face, dances and songs seem to have translated well beyond borders; look at the comments in Russian script from the fandom. 

Thirty-plus years on, Banjaran proves that audience love often outlasts critical consensus. A imperfect but joyful ride, it remains a testament to Sridevi’s star power and Bollywood’s cross-border magic.

Sridevi in and as Banjaran: The hot pink costume

Sridevi in and as Banjaran: The hot pink costume 

Rare pic: Sridevi in and as Banjaran

 

A rare black and white pic of Sridevi on the sets of her (surprise!) smash hit, the widly colourful, musical Banjaran. The hodge podge reincarnation revenge drama with loads of set song and dance routines was a cacophenous mess that was compeltely written off on initial release (we have the reviews in the archive - none were generous with praise!). 

However, a definition of a cult following, the film found its own footing despite the handful of all-powerful reviewers (back then!) had announced to readers that it wasn't worth the price of the ticket. Well, little did they know. Audiences lapped it up - even now. Look at the stats for the songs and dances on YouTube, while contemporary songs struggle to hit the 1 million or 2 million views mark, Banjaran songs passed 100 million views a long time ago. As we publish this, Banjaran's title song has 350 million views, the others collectively have passed even more (its been fragmented as several handles have posted the same songs).

Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi on the cover of a Hindi Tabloid

Sridevi's costume from the film Banjaran - a rare still of Sridevi smiling on set. 

 

Sridevi in and as Banjaran (1991)

Released on 8 November 1991 to tepid reviews, the cult following of Banjaran continues to surprise me. Sridevi's title role, the costume, song and dance extravaganza is colourful, loud, bright... has a Russian following that's inexplicable. In fact several Sridevi fans across borders... just good clean fun with her expressions communicating when language didn't. 

Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor in Banjaran: 34 Years of Sridevi's title role and double role!

Released on November 8, 1991, this slow-burn film Banjaran was a surprise smash hit for both Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi - who had yet another title and double role! The reviews were decidedly mixed for the movie and initially looked like a flop as it is so poorly edited and cobbled together. The music, colours and dances... somehow something worked and went on to make a healthy profit for the filmmaker. As its proven time and again, no one knows anything about how and why a film works. 

Sridevi reigned Supreme: Gorgeous Indian actress on the sets of Banjaran

 

Nagma visits Sridevi on the sets of Banjaran

Rare pic of Sridevi with Nagma on set. Sridevi in her Banjaran costume for the title role of the film. 

-- Tinseltown, April 1991

Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi dance upon a storm in Banjaran

Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi dance upon a storm in Banjaran 

 

Celebrating the sleeper hit Banjaran (1991): 33 years of Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor's Colourful Surprise

Celebrating the sleeper hit Banjaran (1991). Sleeper? Yep. It was totally written off the first few weeks after the film's release and there are hints in media that Sridevi wasn't a huge fan of this film. She herself went in disguise to watch the movie in theatre and was pleasantly surprised by the audience's reaction to her song and dance routines. 

How do we describe this film? It's a Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor musical, costume extravaganza. Personally, was no fan of this hodge-podge, double-role, too many loud songs, too many colours, reincarnation and revenge beset, deja-vu plot that somehow entertained the masses. The song and dance routines, usually a highlight of a Harmesh Malhotra-Sridevi-Saroj Khan combo, are a bit of a repetitive mess. The costumes are all over the place, the hair, makeup and styling is amped up to such a degree, its a bit of a colour-block-shock on film. The continuity shots are almost a joke; see how the stars' sizes, hair, costumes, makeup changes scene after scene with no interlinking motif. 

Despite saying all that - there's something about it that clearly hit a chord in the interiors, online and in Russia! The movie has a massive cult following for a rather... tepid affair. By all means its not a great film, and yet, nothing can deny its fandom. The number of Russian fans of this film has been extraordinary... Its a lot of colours and movement, the plot is sort of simplistic... something about it works - still works for the fan base as the songs have raked up over a billion hits - even after 33 years! 

The magic of Sridevi - something indescribable. A hit film, is a hit film, is a hit film. Critics be damned. 

Sridevi 's gypsy rose coloured outfit: Banjaran: The Diwali release of 1991

It was the Diwali release of 1991 and the wild colours, song and dance routines, the festive mood, massive dance troupe, a predictable reincarnation storyline with the usual tropes (revenge, deja vu, paintings of Sridevi!)... rarely do Diwali movies tank. This technicolour musical fared well at the box-office despite a lukewarm reception by all critics. 

Despite being a flawed film in many ways, the audiences went wild for the return of the Nagina team; Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi and the cast and crew that included producer/director Harmesh Malhotra, music directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal, lyrcist Anand Bakshi, choreographer Saroj Khan, singers Lata Mangeshkar, Anuradha Paudwal, Suresh Wadkar and so on and on.

It's fun to watch - the music is a bit loud - but for a weekend viewing to see Indian stars who were larger than life... roll up on a couch with a comforting cup. 

Released on 8 November 1991 

Left: The costume designers were all over the place and so were Sridevi's outfits. Before the department was streamlined for a cohesive look. 

Glad Neeta Lulla and Manish Malhotra and others found fame and recognition in due course. Leena Daru is one of the few I wish got more media love. She did a lot of work in creating looks with the superstars of their time, especially Rekha, Hema Malini and Sridevi. The holy South Indian trinity of B'wood. 

• More images from Banjaran here.
• Sridevi celebrating Diwali over the years here
• Sridevi in pink here. 

Sridevi on the sets of Banjaran: Another title role for a Bollywood Icon

Sridevi on the sets of Banjaran: Another title role for a Bollywood Icon 

Sridevi on the sets of Banjaran

 Sridevi on the sets of Banjaran 

 This blue look and Sridevi holding a pineapple, just before she lobs it at Gulshan Grover... 

Sridevi in and as Banjaran (1991)

Sridevi in and as Banjaran (1991). Another title role for a Bollywood icon, released 31 years ago today. The elaborate black and gold costume... all glittery. 

Another title role for Sridevi: Banjaran

The surprise success of the 90s, Banjaran.

Released during Diwali 1991 (November 8, 1991 to be exact), the film opened to packed houses as the song and dance extravaganza was just right for the time and period. 

#TBH there are mixed reports about the success of the film floating around on the internet. Did the combination of Sridevi, Rishi Kapoor and producer/director Harmesh Malhotra (famed for the 80s smash Nagina), recreate the same magic at the box-office? No. But was it a hit? Yes. Well... maybe. It certainly broke even as it wasn't an expensive film. There's no accurate accounting for Indian Box Office currently or back then. Only the producer who shelled out the money and waited for returns knows for sure if it did or didn't do well... 

The songs have millions - near billion - views on YouTube and the numbers are constantly escalating - clearly it has a fan base that has repeat viewing.  

Personally, not a fan of the film. Its a long yawn and yarn. The songs are waaaaaaay too loud, there's a lot of sparkle and sizzle in the many, many dance routines and the costumes are as blingy-as Bollwood can be...  

Sridevi's her usual competent self - but is this a star vehicle worthy of her calibre? Hmm. I dunno. 

But for fans, its worth a view. 

31 years of Banjaran. 

We have a massive gallery of Banjaran images and features here.

Sridevi in and as Banjaran: Title role for a Bollywood Icon

Sridevi in and as Banjaran: Title role for a Bollywood Icon. Loads of colourful costumes and looks in the film. 

Gorgeous Sridevi on the sets of Banjaran back in 1991

Gorgeous Sridevi on the sets of Banjaran back in 1991