Few films capture the spirit of Bollywood’s larger-than-life storytelling like Karan Arjun. Released in 1995, this Rakesh Roshan classic not only marked the coming together of Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan but also introduced audiences to an epic tale of reincarnation and brotherhood. Decades later, its dialogues, songs, and gripping emotions remain etched in the hearts of fans.
“What makes Karan Arjun timeless are the emotions, dialogues, and songs. A movie needs to be wholesome to have recall value,” said Roshan in an interview with Gulf News ahead of its re-release in the UAE cinemas on November 22. In an exclusive conversation, Roshan looks back at the making of the film, sharing anecdotes about the young actors who would grow to become two of Bollywood’s biggest stars, the risks he took, and why he believes the film still resonates with audiences nearly 30 years later.
The film wasn’t just a blockbuster; it became a part of Bollywood folklore, with its iconic moments and characters. Excerpts from our interview with Roshan on working with two Khans, having his son and actor Hrithik Roshan assist him, and the near-fatal accident on the sets ..
. I would call Karan Arjun a fairy-tale. This was one unbelievable story on the theme of reincarnation and I had to convince and draw my audience into believing this story.
From that lens, fairy-tales can never go out of fashion. It is the onus of a filmmaker to make it believable and present a wholesome film to the audienc.
