Karan Arjun - 1995

Set against the backdrop of a rustic village in the heartland of India, Karan Arjun is a timeless Bollywood classic that captured the hearts of millions when it graced the silver screen in 1995. Directed by the visionary filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, this epic tale weaves together elements of drama, action, and romance, creating an unforgettable cinematic experience that continues to enthrall audiences even today.

The film revolves around the lives of two brothers, Karan and Arjun, portrayed by the dynamic duo of Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. Fate separates the siblings at a young age when they are brutally murdered by a merciless enemy. However, their story takes a supernatural twist when they are reincarnated to avenge their untimely deaths and reunite with their grieving mother, played by the talented Rakhee Gulzar.

As Karan and Arjun embark on their quest for justice, they face numerous obstacles, including a powerful and ruthless antagonist played by the formidable actor Amrish Puri. Alongside the gripping narrative, Karan Arjun showcases the enduring bond of brotherhood, the triumph of good over evil, and the eternal power of love.

With its glorious sets, captivating performances, and storyline that touches the core of the human spirit, Karan Arjun stands as a testament to the artistic brilliance and enduring appeal of Indian cinema.

Table of Contents

• Details

• Plot

• Release

• Reviews

• Cast

• Crew

• Character Analysis

• Songs

• Behind the Scenes

• Box Office Collection

• Awards

• Interesting Facts

• Conclusion

Details

Plot

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Karan and Arjun are raised by Durga Singh, a poor woman in a village in Rajasthan. Durga reveals to Munshiji of Thakur Sangram Singh that her husband was Thakur's son who had married her against his father's wishes. In order to keep Durga's husband from inheriting Thakur's inheritance, Durjan Singh, a relative of Thakur, murdered Durga's husband.

Durjan kills Thakur after finding out that Thakur intends to give Karan and Arjun the estate, and then he and his in-laws Nahar and Shamsher viciously murder Karan and Arjun. 

In order to get her sons back, Durga worships Kali. Unaware of their previous lives, the two are separated and miraculously reincarnated after Durga's prayers are answered. Even though Durga is unaware of this miracle, she still has faith in the return of her sons.

Arjun is reborn as Vijay 20 years later, during which time he falls in love with the rich Sonia Saxena. She also loves him, but their wedding is scheduled for Durjan's son, Suraj. 

Karan is reborn as Ajay, who is pursued by his tomboyish fiancée, Bindiya. Ajay soon begins working for Govind, who is Durjan's business partner in his illegal arms dealing enterprise and the father of Sonia. Suraj makes an effort to assassinate Vijay because he knows that Sonia loves him, but Vijay fights back. 

Ajay is instructed to murder Vijay, and when they begin to fight, a lightning strike breaks up the fight. 

Govind attempts to shoot Vijay, but Ajay prevents him and yells for Vijay to leave, which brings up what Ajay told Vijay in the past when he was being attacked. Vijay escapes as Ajay is imprisoned. To force Sonia to marry Suraj, Durjan takes her to his house.

Everyone is surprised and refers to Vijay as Arjun as he travels with his companion Linghaiyya to save Sonia. After regaining his memory, he meets up with Durga and learns about his brother Karan, who is now Ajay. Ajay is saved by Vijay, who also discloses that Arjun and Karan were brothers.

Bindiya joins them in the meantime, and Durjan learns about Karan and Arjun's return but is doubtful of it. When Nahar and Shamsher try to present them to him, Ajay and Vijay kill them similarly to how they killed the two brothers. 

Durjan is terrified by Karan (Ajay) and Arjun (Vijay) when they convince him that they are returned. When Govind and Durjan argue, Govind urges Sonia to go with Vijay, but this advice is actually a deception.

Vijay and Sonia are able to escape the trap thanks to Ajay's success in causing disruption. Suraj is fatally shot by Vijay, while Govind is killed by a furious Durjan. He tries to shoot Ajay and Vijay, but they beat him up instead. He asks Durga for forgiveness, but Ajay and Vijay kill him on her orders as payback. Later, the entire family is united when Vijay weds Sonia and Ajay weds Bindiya.

Release

On January 13, 1995, Bollywood enthusiasts eagerly flocked to theaters across India as the highly anticipated film Karan Arjun made its grand debut. This cinematic extravaganza marked a significant milestone in Indian cinema and set the stage for a groundbreaking release.

As the release date approached, the buzz surrounding Karan Arjun grew exponentially. The film generated immense excitement among fans, primarily due to the on-screen collaboration of two superstar actors, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, who were set to share the screen for the first time. Their charismatic presence and immense popularity created an aura of anticipation that spread throughout the country.

When the film finally hit the silver screen, it met with an overwhelming response from audiences. The powerful narrative, coupled with the stellar performances, captivated viewers from the opening scene until the end credits. 

Reviews

Karan Arjun is a cinematic masterpiece that encompasses the essence of Bollywood storytelling at its finest. At the heart of the story is the unbreakable bond of brotherhood. The film brilliantly explores the theme of reincarnation, weaving it into a narrative of revenge and redemption. As Karan and Arjun, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan bring their A-game, portraying the contrasting yet complementary personalities of the two characters. Their on-screen chemistry is electric, capturing the essence of their characters' deep love and unwavering determination.

The supporting cast, including Rakhee Gulzar as the grieving mother and Amrish Puri as the formidable antagonist, deliver stellar performances that elevate the film's emotional depth. Their portrayals add layers of intensity and authenticity to the story, making the audience fully invest in the characters' journeys.

One of the film's biggest strengths lies in its music. Composed by Rajesh Roshan, the soundtrack is a melodic masterpiece. Each song seamlessly blends into the narrative, amplifying the emotions and adding a touch of magic to the film. From the soul-stirring Yeh Bandhan Toh to the foot-tapping Bhangra Paale, the music enhances the overall cinematic experience.

The film's production values are commendable, with grand sets and visually appealing cinematography capturing the rustic charm of the village backdrop. Rakesh Roshan's directorial finesse shines through in his ability to balance the various elements of the story, seamlessly transitioning between intense action sequences and heartfelt emotional moments.

It is a film that tugs at the heartstrings, leaving the audience emotionally invested from start to finish. Karan Arjun serves as a testament to the power of storytelling and the triumph of good over evil. Even after all these years, the film continues to resonate with viewers, reminding us of the timeless appeal of Indian cinema.

Cast

• Salman Khan as Karan Singh/Ajay (double role)

• Shah Rukh Khan as Arjun Singh/Vijay (double role)

• Raakhee as Durga Singh

• Kajol as Sonia Saxena

• Mamta Kulkarni as Bindiya

• Amrish Puri as Thakur Durjan Singh

• Johnny Lever as Linghaiyya Tripuri, Vijay's best friend

• Ranjeet as Mr. Govind Saxena (Sonia's father and Durjan's crime partner)

• Aasif Sheikh as Suraj Singh (Sonia's former fiancé and Durjan's son)

• Ashok Saraf as Badal Munshi a.k.a. Munshiji

• Jack Gaud as Shamsher Singh (Durjan's brother-in-law)

• Arjun as Nahar Singh (Durjan's brother-in-law)

• Gavin Packard as Surakwal Rishmore

• Ila Arun as Sunehrika Kalwani (Rajasthani dancer in Gup Chup song)

• Kishore Bhanushali as Zakir Sahmed  (Bindiya's lover)

• Suresh Chatwal as Girdhari Singhania (Ajay's alcoholic father)

• Salim Khan as Fight organiser

• John Gabriel as Peter

• Dinesh Hingoo as Peston

• Raj Kishore as Jugal

• Anil Nagrath as Fight organiser

• Ghanshyam Rohera as Ashu Bakshi

• Babbanlal Yadav as Deepak Shukla

• Vasanthi (special appearance)

Crew

• Director(s) - Rakesh Roshan

• Writer(s) - Sachin Bhowmick, Ravi Kapoor, and Anwar Khan

• Producer(s) - Rakesh Roshan

• Cinematographer(s) - Kaka Thakur

• Editor(s) - Sanjay Verma

• Musician(s) - Rajesh Roshan

Character Analysis

• Karan Singh (Salman Khan) - Karan Singh is one of the two protagonists in the film. The elder brother of Vijay, Karan, is a fearless and determined individual who seeks to avenge his and his brother's wrongful deaths. Karan is a skilled fighter and is deeply devoted to his family.

• Arjun Singh (Shah Rukh Khan) - Arjun Singh is the other protagonist and the younger brother of Karan. Arjun is a kind-hearted and loving person who supports his brother in their quest for revenge. He is also a skilled fighter and is fiercely protective of his loved ones.

• Sonia Saxena (Kajol) - Sonia Saxena is the love interest of Arjun. She is a strong-willed and independent woman who stands up for what she believes in. Sonia is deeply in love with Arjun and supports him in his mission to seek justice for their past lives.

• Bindiya (Mamta Kulkarni) - Bindiya is Karan’s love interest in the film. She is bold with a tomboy personality and falls in love with Karan and supports him throughout their journey. Bindiya's unwavering love and dedication to Karan help him stay focused on their mission.

• Durga Singh (Raakhee) - Durga Singh is the mother of Karan and Arjun. She is a strong and resilient woman who never loses hope in reuniting with her sons after their untimely deaths. Durga's faith in the power of love and her unyielding determination to bring her sons back together play a crucial role in the film's narrative.

• Thakur Durjan Singh (Amrish Puri) - Thakur Durjan Singh is the main antagonist of the film. He is a ruthless and power-hungry landlord who is responsible for the deaths of Karan and Arjun in their past lives. Durjan's evil actions and desire for power set the stage for the story's central conflict.

Songs

Behind the Scenes

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In the beginning, Rakesh Roshan planned for Ajay Devgn and Shah Rukh Khan as the movie's lead actors. Khan wanted to portray Karan, while Devgn wanted to play Arjun. Both dropped out of the movie because Roshan did not approve. 

Salman Khan and Aamir Khan were Roshan's next options for the starring roles. Aamir was unable to join in, but Salman accepted to star in the movie. Then Shah Rukh told Roshan that he wanted to be in the movie. 

Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, two well-known performers at the time, were thus cast in the movie, bringing them together onscreen for the first time.

Having worked with his father on prior projects, Hrithik Roshan assisted him on this one as well.

Rajasthan was the location of the entire film. The village that is depicted in the movie is Bhangarh, a village in Rajasthan's Alwar District. Pushkar, close to Ajmer, is home to the Durga temple that Karan Arjun visits to pray.

Box Office Collection

The second-highest-grossing Indian movie of 1995 was Karan Arjun. It was overshadowed by Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, a film that featured Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Amrish Puri.

Karan Arjun brought about ₹450 million worldwide. 

Awards

Interesting Facts

• Another successful film starring SRK and Kajol Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge was released in the same year.

• The original title of the film was Kaynaat.

• The role of Karan (Salman Khan) was first offered to Ajay Devgn.

• The part of Bindiya, which was ultimately portrayed by Mamta Kulkarni, was originally intended for Karishma Kapoor.

Conclusion

Karan Arjun is an exceptional Bollywood film that combines stellar performances, a compelling story, and captivating music. It remains a classic that has made a long-lasting mark on the industry and continues to be celebrated for its entertainment value and emotional resonance.