21 June,2012 11:37 AM IST | | IANS
The success of Akshay Kumar's twin avatar in âRowdy Rathore', which entered the Rs.100 crore (about $20 million) club within two weeks of its release, proves how the formula is still a hit.
"Double roles have been a classic and successful format in Hindi commercial cinema down the decades. In the last few years, probably because cinema has become more realistic and less fantastical, the number of movies with double roles had reduced. But they never really went out of fashion," said Siddharth Roy Kapur, managing director, Studios, Disney UTV.
"If the audience enjoys the contrast between the characters in each of the two roles, as was the case in 'Rowdy Rathore', it means they get full 'paisa vasool' - two Akshay Kumars for the ticket price of one," he told IANS.
Rohit Shetty's âBol Bachchan' is said to be inspired by 1979 movie âGol Maal'. In the comedy, Amol Palekar didn't have a double role, but his character changed get-ups. The forthcoming movie, set for release July 6, features Abhishek Bachchan creating double dhamaal.
The buzz is that filmmaker Anees Bazmee is set to give a triple bonanza by presenting Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor and Fardeen Khan in double roles in his comic caper âNo Entry Mein Entry', a sequel to âNo Entry'.
Others who might be seen into double role include Katrina Kaif in âSeeta Aur Geeta' remake, Arjun Kapoor in âAurangzeb', Saif Ali Khan in âJudwaa' sequel, Sanjay Dutt in âSatte Pe Satta' remake and Arjun Rampal in âAjab
Gajabb Love'.
"Double role films work for a change. Shakti Samanta's 'China Town' (which had Shammi Kapoor in double role) was an apt example which later inspired 'Don' and now 'Rowdy Rathore' and a few others. Double role movies can conveniently be used in both, action as well as comedy films," said trade analyst Vinod Mirani.
Recently, actress Vidya Balan made her first attempt at a double avatar - a dream she could live thanks to an endorsement deal with a new range of snacks brand. "I was getting to play a double role. Only Sridevi and Hemaji (Hema Malini) have done it so far. I have always wanted to do a double role and we don't have double roles for some reason in films any more," Vidya had said.
In recent times, Shahid Kapoor carried off the double role well with âKaminey'.
The formula has been a winner in yesteryears. Be it Dev Anand in âHum Dono', Dilip Kumar in âRam Aur Shyam', Rajesh Khanna in âAradhana', Rakhee in âSharmilee', Hema Malini in âSeeta Aur Geeta', Amitabh Bachchan in âDon' and âSatte Pe Satta', Sridevi in âChaalbaaz', Anil Kapoor in âKishen Kanhaiya', Salman Khan in âJudwaa', Kajol in âDushman' and Shah Rukh Khan in âDon' and âDuplicate'-most of Bollywood's top stars have been there and done the double dhamaal!