Retro Review: Karan Arjun

The year 1995 saw one of the greatest hits of the decade, well at least for many Salman and Shah Rukh fans as the stellar epic Karan Arjun became available to the public. The movie starred Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Kajol Devgn, Mamta Kulkarni, and Amrish Puri in the main leads. For many, this film was about the two of the biggest Khans working together for the first time, but it was so much more beyond that. 

Directed by Rakesh Roshan (and assisted by son, Hrithik Roshan), Karan Arjun captured the attention and eyes of many viewers. From the script to the songs to the acting to the star cast, everything was perfect. It had elements that a good Bollywood movie should have. 

The movie revolves around two poor brothers Karan (Salman Khan) and Arjun (Shah Rukh Khan) who are raised by their mother Durga (Rakhee Gulzar) and are eventually killed by the devious Durjan Singh (Amrish Puri) when he learns that the brothers know of his crime of killing their father for property. In actuality, their father is the son of the wealthy thakur who becomes disowned by going against the wishes of his father and marrying Durga. However, whilst the thakur lies on his death bed, he expresses his wishes of handing his property and wealth to his grandkids. When Durjan learns of this plan, he kills him and Karan and Arjun in front of their mother. A mother's heart unable to accept her sons death, Durga prays to God to return her kids to her and as her prayers are heard, both boys are reborn but with a twist. They are born in different families and with no recollection of their past life. However, 20 years later, circumstances become such that the two come back to their village and with many twists and turns, the two regain their memory and take revenge for the atrocities committed against  their family.

The film garnered a lot of success and went on to be the second biggest hit of that year, earning itself the title of a blockbuster hit. It was nominated in various categories at the Filmfare Awards, including the Best Actor award for Salman Khan. It went on to win two awards for Best Editing and Best Action.

Eighteen years later, Karan Arjun may have been forgotten but the onscreen chemistry of two of India's most talented actors is still the talk of town. A lot of fans still desire to see the two rocking the screen together and have been granted their wish in the form of Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, co-starring Madhuri Dixit Nene and Kajol respectively. Karan Arjun was a movie that showed the strong and eternal bond between two brothers that that transcended to eal life as well, albeit for a little while. However, we all still have our fingers crossed and still continue to hope.