Directed by Rakesh Roshan, the 1995 blockbuster “Karan Arjun” is set to return to theaters this November, rekindling the magic of Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan’s first collaboration. Fans eagerly await the re-release, scheduled for November 22, 2024, as the news stirs nostalgia across social media.
However, you will be a little shocked to know that originally, Rakesh Roshan envisioned a different pairing for “Karan Arjun”. His initial casting choice included Shah Rukh Khan as Arjun and Ajay Devgn as Karan.
But during early discussions, both Shah Rukh and Ajay expressed an interest in swapping roles and this unexpected twist led to a brief pause in casting, as neither actor felt comfortable playing the parts initially assigned.
Following Shah Rukh and Ajay’s departure, Rakesh Roshan approached Aamir Khan alongside Salman Khan. While both stars showed enthusiasm, Aamir had other filming commitments and could not immediately commit to the schedule of “Karan Arjun”. Aamir made it clear that he would not be able to start shooting for the movie before six months and Rakesh Roshan wasn’t in the mood to wait for so long.
In a surprising turn of events, Shah Rukh reconnected with Rakesh, expressing renewed interest in the project. Rakesh Roshan recalled that when Shah Rukh Khan came to know that Aamir and Salman have shown interest in the movie, he came back, said sorry to Rakesh Roshan and insisted that now he wants to work in the movie. Rakesh Roshan met Aamir and made things clear to him, he added that SRK’s date was also available and they both had worked together earlier as well in “King Uncle” because of which he chose to cast Shah Rukh in the movie.
Rakesh Roshan ultimately cast Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan in the leading roles and the film became a major hit upon release. Apart from the lead actors, the movie also featured powerful performances from Amrish Puri, Raakhee, Kajol and Mamta Kulkarni. The film’s narrative, centered around two brothers avenging their father’s murder after reincarnation, resonated deeply with audiences, solidifying the place of “Karan Arjun” in Bollywood history.
As fans prepare to witness the epic saga once again, the re-release of “Karan Arjun” promises to be a celebration of one of the most loved films of Bollywood.
