Karan Arjun

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.

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.

I still remember the first time I watched this movie back in 1995. I was almost hypnotized during the movie. Dialogues like "Mamta Ka Karz" and "Inteqam Ki Aag" may sound cheesy in today's time, but these were pretty common those days and who better than Shahrukh and Salman to mouth those lines. Salman did his tough guy role with élan. Shahrukh though physically unsuitable to play that kind of role didn't do bad either. Kajol may be remembered as an actress of substance today but this movie showed her and Mamta Kulkarni, both as mere showpieces, a trait of 90s. Amrish Puri did another of those evil Thakur kind of roles, that he could even played in his sleep. However the soul of the movie is Rakhi Gulzar, every time she mouthed that unforgettable "Mere Bete Aayenge, Mere Karan Arjun Aayenge" line, I used to find myself almost in tears. Music was average, but "Jaati Hun Main, Jaldi Hai Kya" became a chart-buster and was like Kajol's own "Dhak Dhak".Not to forget "Mujhko Ranaji Maaf Karna", which was one of the most talked about songs after "Choli Ke Peeche". Bravura performances, hit songs, high emotional melodrama and above all Rakhi's spirited performance made this movie a cult. Not to miss if you have been bored of NRI characters roaming in Mercedes and dancing in exotic locales and want to see some real Bollywood extravaganza.

I still remember the first time I watched this movie back in 1995. I was almost hypnotized during the movie. Dialogues like "Mamta Ka Karz" and "Inteqam Ki Aag" may sound cheesy in today's time, but these were pretty common those days and who better than Shahrukh and Salman to mouth those lines. Salman did his tough guy role with élan. Shahrukh though physically unsuitable to play that kind of role didn't do bad either. Kajol may be remembered as an actress of substance today but this movie showed her and Mamta Kulkarni, both as mere showpieces, a trait of 90s. Amrish Puri did another of those evil Thakur kind of roles, that he could even played in his sleep. However the soul of the movie is Rakhi Gulzar, every time she mouthed that unforgettable "Mere Bete Aayenge, Mere Karan Arjun Aayenge" line, I used to find myself almost in tears. Music was average, but "Jaati Hun Main, Jaldi Hai Kya" became a chart-buster and was like Kajol's own "Dhak Dhak".Not to forget "Mujhko Ranaji Maaf Karna", which was one of the most talked about songs after "Choli Ke Peeche". Bravura performances, hit songs, high emotional melodrama and above all Rakhi's spirited performance made this movie a cult. Not to miss if you have been bored of NRI characters roaming in Mercedes and dancing in exotic locales and want to see some real Bollywood extravaganza.

Durga Singh (Rakhee Gulzar) gets married into an Indian joint family and gives birth to two twin sons Karan Singh (Salman Khan) & Arjun Singh (Shahrukh Khan). Before dieing the land lord of the house wanted to give Durga and her two sons the house as a gift. But the land lord's brother Thakur Durjan Singh (Amrish Puri) had evil intentions and he decided to kill his brother and Durga's two sons Karan & Arjun. Later on, by the grace of mother Kali, Karan & Arjun was born again into different neighbor hood and they also found there love. Karan with Bindiya (Mamta Kulkarni) and Arjun with Seema (Kajol Mukurjee). However, they manage to reach up during a fight between the two and all the old memories began to flash back. And before you know it there were with there mother Durga again in order to take revenge from Durjan Singh for there death and mother's ruination.

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.