Tridev clocks 35 years: How Sonam Khan's unconventional pairing with Naseeruddin Shah proved to be fitting choice

The iconic Bollywood film Tridev continues to be hailed as a cornerstone of Indian cinema, celebrated for its compelling narrative, stellar performances, and timeless music. Directed by Rajiv Rai and produced by Gulshan Rai, the 1989 blockbuster brought together a star-studded cast that included Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff, Naseeruddin Shah, and Madhuri Dixit, leaving a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.
As Tridev marks its 35th year, we revisit the film to witness how the unconventional pairing of Sonam Khan with the acclaimed actor Naseeruddin Shah turned out to be a fitting choice. Sharing interesting anecdotes about it, film historian Dilip Thakur told ETimes, "The muhurat of Tridev was held at Natraj Studio. Madhuri Dixit was the only heroine confirmed for the film, starring alongside actors Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff, and Naseeruddin Shah. This is the only film where Sunny and Madhuri were paired together."
He continued, "Sonam Khan debuted in Yash Chopra’s Vijay, where her bikini scenes were widely discussed. With her glamorous image, she was signed by Kapil Kapoor for Chor Pe Mor and by Rajeev Rai for Tridev. People were initially shocked to see a serious actor like Naseeruddin Shah paired with the glamorous Sonam, but it worked well within the film’s context."

To gauge whether Tridev would be a hit or a flop, producer Gulshan Rai held a public screening in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra. The applause for the songs Oye Oye and Gajar Ne Kiya Ishara made Rai realize the film would be a hit. Upon its release, Tridev became a super hit.

The phrase Oye Oye became popular for teasing among people. The song was composed by Viju Shah, and after its success, Rajeev Rai gave him the opportunity to compose the entire soundtrack of Vishwatma.