Kishen Kanhaiya

Indeed, if a mainstream Bollywood star of the 1970-90s hasn't played dual roles at least once in his or her career, there must be something wrong with them. Playing double roles was, if you like, the litmus test of a film star's acting talent and ability to carry a film on his or her shoulders. This is one of the age-old obsessions of commercial Hindi cinema which is getting some revival off late, too, in films like Tanu Weds Manu Returns. Mostly such films were about twins lost at birth, then there's the parent/child lookalikes, and while many of them are entertaining, not all of them are of great quality. As a matter of fact, examples of such films where everything, from script to acting, is up to the mark, are few and far between. Seeta Aur Geeta is one such film - made by the great Ramesh Sippy, it is pure quality entertainment with a brilliant performance by Hema Malini.

Does Kishen Kanhaiya live up to the fame of some of the famous twin movies? Not really, but it's not bad either. Anil Kapoor is an enjoyable actor, and Rakesh Roshan sure knew how to make use of his star quality on screen, although it hardly rings true that twins would be identical even in the size of their mustache! In style and execution, this film falls along the lines of ChaalBaaz, with some exaggerated elements and slapstick comedy. But Kishen Kanhaiya is slightly better, and more because it doesn't just rely on the twin story. The film's recurring tune, later shown in the "Krishna" song, is very nice, and "Kuch Ho Gaya Kya Ho Gaya" is fun. It has a brilliant wide-eyed villain in Amrish Puri and above all, it has Madhuri Dixit, who just can't be relegated to pretty ornament as with her natural presence and stunning beauty almost steals the show. A nice show, then.

Kishan Kanhaiyah is a Bollywood Masala Movie. It contains the usual Romance, Comedy, Action and Family Drama. I think this is Anil Kapoor's Finest Work. Anil Kapoor has made many great films such as Parinda, Hifazat, Ram Lakhan, Khel and Tezaab. The female leads were Madhuri Dixit who is no doubt one of Blooywood Best Actresses of the late 80s and 90s. She delivers a comic performance that entertains. The other female lead was the very sexy Shilpa Shirodkar in a more serious role. She does a good job of it. Kishan Kanhaiyah tells the story of two twin brothers, separated at birth. If one gets hurt, the other feels the pain. The movie does have many exciting scenes. It was directed by Rakesh Roshan. The Man behind Great Movies like Khudgarz, Khel, Karan Arjun, Koyla and Koi Mil gaya. This is Rakesh Roshan's simply Best film he has made. Absolute Delight, Highly recommended.

Kishen Kanhaiya review :

Twins separate at birth. One endures hardships and atrocities of his villainous uncle. The other grows up to be a street smart dude. Circumstances lead to a switch and the smartie teaches a lesson to evil uncle.

The legendary Dilip Kumar started this double role double mazaa trend with Ram aur Shyam (1967) where needless to say, he was brilliant as ever. Director Ramesh Sippy picked up this frothy plot and gave it a quick gender reversal with Hema Malini as Seeta aur Geeta (1972). Sridevi then did a one-up on her in Chaalbaaz (1989) - my personal favourite in this genre.

Less than a year later in early 1990, Rakesh Roshan came up with his version titled Kishen Kanhaiya starring Anil Kapoor who was going through a hit phase post Tezaab (1988). Even his underwhelming films like Rakhwala (1989) had worked at the box office and Kishen Kanhaiya was the perfect platform for him to display his acting range - the timid and mild Kishen and the local goon cum movie buff Kanhaiya.

His pairing with Madhuri Dixit was invariably a success and here, they were fun to watch as a couple who watch every movie - first day first show. Quite like me hah!

Shilpa Shirodkar was the innocent Kishen's heroine and she repeated Mandakini's transparent wet saree act from Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985). Expectedly, it attracted whistles from the front benchers at Badal Bijlee Cinema where I saw the movie on day one. Later, Dalip Tahil, playing Kishen's half brother, oogles at Shilpa's ample bosom and proceeds to molest her. Well almost!!

Amrish Puri as the bad Mama Gendamal was effective as always. So was Bindu playing her regular vamp act. It was Kader Khan who impressed as the Munshi who loves to place bets for five rupees. "Apni toh paanch rupaye ki aukaat hai.." he states. Later when Kanhaiya makes mincemeat of Gendamal and company in the climax, he hilariously remarks "Upar Kishen neeche kanhaiya aur beech mein tumhari doobne wali naiyya". The writer cum actor always reserved the best catchphrases for himself. Haha!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

It was a big hit at that time. I still remember, we went to watch this movie in theater. People were waiting to see this movie. Movie had great entertainment. It has drama, comedy, fight, emotions, everything. Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dikshit were best. But all other actors also performed very good job. Music was hit too. Don't look at this movie at today's angle. It was made in 90s and made as per that time. Recommend this movie to everyone.

Whenever I watch this movie, I enjoy it as much as I did the first time I saw it. Along with Madhuri and Anil's strong acting, it is emotional along with comedy. If seen, it has the same story as Sita aur Geeta and Chalbaaz movies, but it is more fun to watch Kishan Kanhaiya. Rakesh Roshan great director and very good and king of music director Rajesh Roshan did very good job all actors like amrish puri and dilip tahl all are good acting Shilpa shirodkar very good in this movie very nice Lil bit comedy and Lil bit emothion made that movie very intriguing. This movie is different level of drama theas watching very.