Riteish Deshmukh looks back at ‘Apna Sapna Money Money’ days, reveals his comic character was inspired by Sania Mirza

A recent episode of IMDb’s nostalgia-driven series ‘Dekh Bhais’ sent fans straight back to the era of loud comedies and fearless performances. The episode revisited some of the most memorable Hindi comedies of the 2000s, sparking laughter and fond memories among viewers who grew up watching these films. Hosted by Rohan Joshi and Aaditya Kulshreshth, popularly known as Kullu, the discussion spotlighted Riteish Deshmukh’s distinctive brand of humour. The focus was particularly on his cross-dressing roles, which became an unexpected yet unforgettable hallmark of his early career.One of the standout mentions was ‘Apna Sapna Money Money’, a film remembered as much for its absurd situations as for Riteish’s uninhibited performance. Sharing a personal anecdote, Rohan Joshi recalled watching the film during a long bus journey and being unable to shake off its catchphrases. Laughing, he said, “Even today, every time money is credited to my bank account, a voice in my head goes, ‘Jai Jai Money.’” Adding trivia to the throwback, Kullu pointed out that ‘Apna Sapna Money Money’ marked the first time Riteish Deshmukh appeared in a female disguise on screen. He went on to ask the actor to name other films where he had taken on similar avatars, prompting a humorous exchange online.Riteish Deshmukh joined the conversation via Instagram, responding with his signature self-deprecating humour. “Hahaha. ‘Apna Sapna Money Money’, ‘Humshakals’, and a few IIFA awards!!! Jai Jai Money. Also, my character was named after Sania Mirza,” he wrote, revealing the quirky inspiration behind the character’s name.Riding on the playful mood, the hosts 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. The throwback struck a chord with fans, who flooded social media with reactions, proving that these performances still hold a special place in pop culture memory.