FILM · 1994 · INDIA
Raja Babu
24 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (24)
- #001
Satish Kaushik was originally set to play the role of Nandu. Nandu's truly cartoonish look in the film was something Satish Kaushik was not prepared for. Roop ki Rani Chiron Ka Raja had recently flopped and Kaushik had fallen into a real depression. He told David Dhawan that if he did Nandu, people might think he had given up after the fiasco of RKRCKR. David understood that he was an old friend and made a change. Shakti Kapoor was taking on the role of Muthu in Sajan Chale Sasural, so he gave that role to Kaushik and cast Shakti Kapoor in Raja Babu. Both actors won the best supporting actor filmfare award for their respective roles.
- #002
Govinda is said to have improvised most of his exchanges with Shakti Kapoor, and "samajhta nahin yaar" and "nandu sabka bandhu" were lines created by Govinda.
- #003
Shakti Kapoor won the Filmfare Best Comedian award. It is the only award he has received to date.
- #004
The character he played in the 1982 Shashi Kapoor film Namak Helal was named Raja Babu.
- #005
Dialogue such as Nandu Sambka Bandhu and Samajta Nahi Hai Yaar was developed by Govinda on the sets. These were never part of the script.
- #006
This was the first of 4 Govinda/Karisma films released back to back in early 1994. Only Raja Babu became a super hit; the rest earned average returns.
- #007
Juhi Chawla was offered the lead role. She turned it down because she did not like the story.
- #008
Govinda later stated that he regretted performing the crude dance moves in the khatiya song. He said he realized the family audience would not like it.
- #009
Lyricist Sameer said that he himself wrote the crude lyrics of the song Sar Kai Lo Khatiya. After the song Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai from the 1993 film Khalnayak, he became an artist who topped the charts with crude lyrics.
- #010
It is an unofficial remake of the Tamil film Raasukutti (1992).
- #011
The song Sarkhailo Khatia later inspired Don't Touch My Ghagariya from Zanjeer The Chain.
- #012
Producer Nandu G. Tolani released Banarasi Babu in late 1994, but it was repeatedly postponed. In 1996 he made another Govinda film to be directed by David Dhawan alongside Karisma. Govinda took on a dual role in the film; when Salman Khan was going through a difficult period, he asked Govinda whether he could take over a film to be produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. Since Banarasi Babu was nearly complete, Nandu had no problem at all letting the film go.
- #013
The song "Sarkaile Khatia" from Hum Hain Premi copied the controversial song from Raja Babu.
- #014
The film was released in cinemas in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- #015
Garmi Mein Gora Badan Jalley from Mohlat copied Sarkai Le Khatiya.
- #016
Music director M. M. Keeravani plagiarized the melody of A Aa Ee O O O Mera Dil Naa Todo (Male) for the Telugu film song "Abbabba Ee Poddu" ("S. P. Parasuram", 1994).
- #017
Sarkaay Liyo Khatiya Jaada Lage from Raja Babu appears to be an adaptation of a folk song. The same folk song had previously been used in the Indian film "Aadharshila" (1982). Music director Koti also used this melody in the Telugu film song "Patte Manchamma Cheppave" ("Abbai Gari Pelli", 1997).
- #018
Tere Joban Ka Main Ghulam Hoon from Maidan E Jung was inspired by Sarkhai Lo Khatiya from Raja Babu.
- #019
It was actually Pahlaj Nihalani who wanted to make the film with Govinda. Pahlaj combined the storylines of Meharbaan and Main Sundar Hoon to create Raja Babu. However, Govinda took the subject and gave it to David Dhawan, who then gave it to producer Nandu Tolani. Govinda was angry in those days because he felt Pahlaj did not pay him enough for his films. Pahlaj, however, had no problem paying Anil Kapoor the full market price.
- #020
Govinda was behind the costume idea of having the threads of Shakti Kapoor's Bermuda shorts come apart.
- #021
The music at 0:30 of "Nach Lachake Nach" from Dalpati was used to create the music of the song 'Aa Aa Ee Oo' from Raja Babu. Ladki Hai Kya from Ladlaa and Tu Tu Tu Tara from Bol Radha Bol were also sampled from the same song from Dalpati.
- #022
Jaya Pradha's brother's name is "Raja Babu".
- #023
Anees Bazmee said: "Raja Babu had a song called Sarkaylo khatiya. The director insisted we keep this song because he was sure it would be a hit. I was happy with the film but I did not want that vulgar song because I thought ek gaane ke liye mera naam kharab hoga (a song will ruin my reputation). But the director insisted we had to include this song to make a successful film. I also wanted to make a successful film, but every person has limits."
- #024
Sonu Nigam's "Main Tere Duniya Chod Chala" from Bewafa Sanam Volume 2 was sampled from Attaullah Khan's song "Ral Milke Khoob Vigari" and "Main Tere Duniya Chhod Chala". Kumar Sanu also did a version of "Main Tere Duniya Chhod Chala" on the album Bewafa Aashiq (1993). Surprisingly, the melody of the Raja Babu song "Sarkhai Lo Khatiya" is also based on Main Tere Duniya Chhod Chala.
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