The hoi polloi migh not know that the working title of this Rakesh Roshan's film was 'Kainaat' and Ajay Devgn was the original choice for 'Karan' but he moved out due to certain differences with Roshan and #SalmanKhan came aboard. #KaranArjun brought the Khans - #SRK and Salman together for the first time and created magic at the box office. The film met with staggering success and is still remembered as an epitome of a commercial blockbuster.
I was a teenager then,crushed under the reeling pressure of my Xth Board exams which was just 1.5 months away but I remember that the timeline for Roshan and the Khans was quite euphoric. Shah Rukh was basking in the glory of the success of Baazigar, Darr and the critically acclaimed 'Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa', and Salman's name was at the tip of the tongue of every teenager post 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun'.Roshan was already delivering hits after hits - but his first collaboration with SRK , King Uncle, hadn't fared well at the box office.
As a filmmaker, he is very intuitive about the parameters that drive a film towards success and mass acceptability.Through Karan Arjun he wooed the viewer with the theme of reincarnation , powered by fiery revenge, unflinching romance and memorable characters. The dollops of drama and emotions was further bolstered by the dukhiyaari Maa's(played by #Rakhee )yearning for his murdered sons.
"Mere Karan Arjun aayenge" is still reminisced and a hot retort to memes.I was particularly affected by the villainy - Thakur Durjan Singh aka Rana ji's (the unmatchable #AmrishPuri) fear-inducing eyes, his brutal brothers-in-law played by Jack Gaud and Feroz, and the conniving Ranjeet. While SRK and Kajol spelt another round of magic with their affable chemistry after Baazigar, I would certify Mamta Kulkarni as the film's weakest link.The underrated #AsifKhan was impressive with his 'Whatta Joke' lampoonism.Johny Lever was every dependable with his comic streak.
I still get fixated to Karan Arjun whenever it screens on Sony's channels.The film's cinematography and set pieces evoke a powerful and enriching portrait of Indian hinterland which is rarely seen these days.
#LikeIfYouLovedKaranArjun
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