Director: Rakesh Roshan
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Amrish Puri
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Shah Rukh Khan. Ever since his recognition in the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the greatest actors in the film industry. Whether it is star-crossed lovers, gangs or doomed superheroes, Khan has proven he can play many characters. Arguably, Khan’s finest strength as an actor has always been his charisma. He has often been of those rare actors with the abilities to use his charisma to attract audiences to theatres. Through his abilities to play characters which prove to be compelling, Khan has created a bold legacy that’s lasting. Known as the Badshah of Bollywood, Khan has stood test of time as a celebrated icon that’s beloved in Indian Cinema. Despite having reached the age of retirement, Khan hasn’t lost his passions for making engaging entertainment. An icon in India, Khan has become a bold actor whose movies commonly attract audiences to the Cinema. Throughout his long-lasting career, Khan has appeared in several unforgettable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies he has made in his career. However, “Karan Arjun” stands out as being one of his most underrated films. Released in 1995, Rakesh Roshan’s movie offered a powerful portrait of reincarnated brothers. Packed with bold musical numbers, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a brilliant Bollywood action classic. At the centre of it all is a bold performance from Shah Rukh Khan, playing a reincarnated man seeking revenge for his past life. Although “Karan Arjun” is a strong Bollywood drama, it isn’t a flawless movie. It suffers from a melodramatic conclusion that lacks satisfying resolution. Nevertheless, it offers spellbinding entertainment which will satisfy fans of SRK.
“Karan Arjun” the story of a pair of brothers which face reincarnation. Shah Rukh Khan plays Arjun Singh, a young Indian man with strong devotion to his family. Arjun shares a strong bond with his brother Karan (Salman Khan), whom he loves. However, Arjun’s life forever changes when he becomes victim of a gruesome murder. Arjun’s dreams become shattered when he and his brother become murdered by their greedy uncle. Faced with dilemma, Arjun is given a second shot at life when he reincarnates in India. Searching for vengeance, Arjun and his brother attempt to overcome a sad past that has been defined by grim violence.
Rakesh Roshan is fascinated with the tales of brothers that face tension. His iconic film “Kishen Kangaiya” offered a strong portrait of brothers which face trauma in India. With “Karan Arjun”, however, Roshan crafted his first ever reincarnation drama. It marked the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture lives of reincarnated brothers facing tragedy but he succeeded. Evoking Subhash Gha’s “Karz”, Roshan expertly uses montages to convey hardships faced by brothers that experience reincarnation. For instance, the montages elevate the brother bond scene. During this unforgettable scene, Karan and Arjun spend valuable time together before they become victims of murder. Using stunning montage, Roshan creates a portrait of brothers that’s compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to use in Bollywood films. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” demonstrated, montages elevate Bollywood movies about broken families. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Using stunning visuals, Roshan captures the tension reincarnated brothers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Karan Arjun” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies you will ever watch. Roshan has always excelled at constructing engaging musical sequences in his movies, and “Karan Arjun” showcased his strengths as a director. Roshan effectively uses cross-cutting to create musical sequences about brothers which are engaging. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the Yeh Bandhan Toh song. During this memorable scene, Karan and Arjun bond together through delivering a melody. Using bold cross-cutting, Roshan crafts a strong portrait of brotherhood that is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that brothers bear. Using engrossing production, Roshan captures struggles of brothers that face reincarnation.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Karan Arjun” is a Bollywood film which is engaging. The film is extremely well written, and effectively uses silence to capture the hardships brothers torn apart by violence experience. Inspired by Martin Scorsese’s “Raging Bull”, Roshan deftly uses silence to capture separations of brothers which are stressful. For instance, silence enhances the farewell scene. During this emotional scene, Karan and Arjun bid heartbreaking farewell to each other following separation. Through silence, Roshan crafts a portrait of brothers audiences easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in Bollywood movies. As Karan Johar’s “My Name is Khan” claimed, silence enhances Bollywood movies about terrorism. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a brilliant screenplay, Roshan captures brothers that experience a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his greatest performances as Arjun. Khan first achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroes in classic Bollywood films. With “Karan Arjun”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to play a reincarnated brother, but he succeeds immensely. This is the star unlike you have ever seen him before: bold, emotional and vulnerable in his most tricky role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and grief experienced by an Indian man that faced reincarnation. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most celebrated actors currently working in Bollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Shah Rukh Khan, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciations. Salman Khan is spectacular, capturing the charismatic nature of a family man seeking to avenge the death of his brother. Kajol is captivating, bringing heart and soul to the role of a woman whose love life spirals out of control. Lastly, Amrish Puri is worthy of appreciation. As a villainous uncle, he brings tension to the movie.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Karan Arjun” can’t quite capture struggle faced by brothers that face reincarnation. If there is a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks an engaging ending. It’s an over the top ending that lacks a satisfying closure. Whereas this conclusion enhanced Barry Levinson’s “Rain Man”, it clashes with the tone of this movie. At worst, it perpetuates myths about reincarnation that aren’t true to reality. Therefore, “Karan Arjun” is one of those Bollywood films which not everyone will adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Shah Rukh Khan will absolutely enjoy “Karan Arjun” and so will audiences seeking heartfelt entertainment. A brilliant Bollywood classic, it celebrated an Indian actor that’s iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of an iconic Bollywood film about brothers which create bonds through reincarnation, it’s an awe-inspiring reminder of a beloved Indian actor that has built an enduring reputation through his uncanny abilities to play strong characters in unforgettable movies that are without a single doubt absolutely worthy of appreciation.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 