Karan Arjun

Karan Arjun is a 1995 Bollywood action masala film directed by Rakesh Roshan starring Salman Khan as Karan and Shahrukh Khan as Arjun. Hrithik Roshan was an assistant director of this film. Story revolves around Durga Singh(Rakhee) who is a poor girl marries a rich man but that rich man's father throws him out. They settle in village and she gives birth to two sons Karan and Arjun. Durjan Singh(Amrish Puri), evil brother of the rich man murders him aiming for his wealth. But Durga lies to her sons that their father went to city for business so that they don't feel like orphans. Karan and Arjun grow up later. When their grandfather is in his deathbed he calls durga and her sons and decides to make them his heir. But durjan Singh murders the grandfather and later Karan Arjun. Durga begs to Kali maa to give her sons back. So they are reincarnated as Ajay and Vijay respectively after 20 years. Ajay is a street fighter and Vijay is a horse trainer. When they realise their past they unite with durga and take vengeance on durjan Singh. Story, screenplay, dialogues are laughable but enjoyable. Both Srk Salman were given equal screen presence. Salman is good but has very few dialogues. Srk played his part well. Kajol and Mamta have nothing to do. This is the only film of Srk-Kajol were their chemistry is weak. After Ram Lakhan, Rakhee once again plays widowed mother of two sons and Amrish Puri as villain. Karan Arjun is my favorite multi starter films. If its remade today with bankable stars it would make huge bucks.

The concept of the story depends on your faith, as it is to do with re-incarnation, and geared more towards the Hindu religion.

The story did not appeal to me much; however, I watched the film for performances given by the actors and to see what the hype was all about.

I think the film was stolen by Rakhee's persuasive dialogues and Salman's macho, don't give a crap, character. Over the recent years Salman has really impressed me with his different roles. SRK like his early movies overacted too much, the fighting scenes were unconvincing and the dialogues were as they say very filmy. Kajol, unlike her recent films, was very annoying. Mamta, although very short, but gave one of her better performances.

All in all it's an over-hyped movie which won't be recognised as a classic. 5/10.

Here Salman perform very well. Other than his all other movies. Shahrukh can not show his skill due to the script. His role was minor than Salman. Thus Salman got more emphasize, and he make it worth. Shahrukh has a good song here, good romance with Kajol. Though rebirth is not a thing a believe but the revenge motive I liked in this movie. Overall a good one.

The reincarnation-revenge formula might be dated and seemed good if restricted to Subhash Ghai's cult classic KARZ(1980). But Rakesh Roshan being the craftsman of action-dramas he's been all these years utilised the limitations to optimum effect.

In regards to performances, Rakhee Gulzar was, well Rakhee Gulzar. Amrish Puri and Ranjeet prove it effortlessly why they're the most feared and revered villains in Bollywood history. The comic duo of Ashok Saraf and Johnny Lever was indeed effective. Kajol and Mamta Kulkarni don't get much screen time as such.

The marquee of this movie is that it remains Shahrukh and Salman Khan's only film till date. While the former had established himself as an actor of note with his resume reading KABHI HAA KABHI NAA, DARR and BAAZIGAR, Salman was considered more of a mass entertainer, although he had received acclaim for MAINE PYAR KIYA, BAAGHI and PATTHAR KE PHOOL. But this movie belonged to him start to finish, call it toughness which came a bit more naturally to him and was visible in non-action scenes as well.

In all the movie is a one time watch.

Reincarnation is the one word which can be used to describe Karan Arjun, a film which can easily be a fun watch for the entire family. It is about two brothers who are killed and their mother who expects to see them again for some reason and desperately prays for the day they come back. And her prayers get paid off when her children are reborn in different parts of the country and grow up looking the same as her dead kids. The film has some heartbreaking feel about it, but as a film, it is a bit overdone, melodramatic and cheesy. Yet, it never takes itself too seriously, so it somehow works despite being blown out of proportions. The film may particularly appeal to children - heroes and villains, fights and races, dialogue which does not have much sense, very caricaturish characters. Despite that, there are some emotions that somehow work for others, so I would call it a children's film which may appeal to the rest of the family. Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan work very well together and give the film a certain appeal not warranted by the script. Salman is restrained as never before and Shahrukh is carefree and positive. Raakhee does well as the suffering mom and the moment of unity is such a familiar tear-causing scene that nothing else matters. Mamta and Kajol are hardly there, particularly Kajol, who is invisible. Rajesh Roshan's music is as always amazing, with "Yeh Bandhan" leading the list. All in all, go and try this wholesome Bollywood entertainment.