Karan Arjun is set to re-release in theatres across India on November 22, 2024. The Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan starrer was released 30 years ago in January 1995. Director, Rakesh Roshan's Karan Arjun, was a milestone film in the careers of Salman and Shah Rukh Khan. The movie established them as action heroes.
As the movie's re-release is around the corner, Rakesh Roshan sat down for an unfiltered chat with News18 Showsha and revisited the film. He revealed that while Salman’s casting was like a strut in the park, he faced some difficulties while casting Shah Rukh Khan. Rakesh shared that while Shah Rukh Khan initially agreed to do the film, he later pulled back his name as the idea of reincarnation did not sit right with him.
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In the same conversation, Rakesh revealed that the Om Shanti Om actor had initially agreed to do the film but later decided to quit because he couldn’t accept the idea of reincarnation. He further added that after Shah Rukh Khan declined the role, he approached Aamir Khan for the role of 'Arjun'. However, Shah Rukh retracted his decision to quit the film and decided to do it despite not believing in the concept of reincarnation. Rakesh shared that Shah Rukh Khan had returned and done the film for the former as he had given Shah Rukh Khan a chance in King Uncle. He stated:
"Sabse difficult casting Shah Rukh Khan ki thi. Shah Rukh ne pehle haan bola, fir naa bola. He said, 'I don’t believe in this story. I want to be an action hero.' I told him, 'Both Karan and Arjun are doing action. They are the same.' He was not convinced, chod diya picture usne. Maine fir Aamir ko liya, fir Shah Rukh aa gaya. He said, 'I'll do the film. You gave me a break in King Uncle. I can’t leave you like that. I don’t believe in the story but as you say, I will do it.' he said. I said okay and made the film with him."
During the same conversation, Rakesh recalled how Salman Khan's acting was a smooth sail. However, he had originally offered the role of 'Karan' to Ajay Devgn. Rakesh revealed that when things did not work with Ajay, he approached Salman for the role. Sharing the same, he said:
"I called him home and said I wanted to narrate a story. First, I told him that Ajay was going to do it, but now he’s not doing it. 'You hear it, if you like it, you do it.' He instantly liked it, he said, 'It's a damn good story.' He was more convinced that what Shah Rukh was."
Karan Arjun is set for its re-release on November 22, 2024. This re-release would mark the widest re-release for an Indian film with its simultaneous release in India and Internationally. This re-release will also be the first of such magnitude, driven by distributors' demand to showcase an iconic film of its time to the new generation.
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