It’s raining ‘double roles’ in Bollywood. From Humshakals having triple roles to Happy Ending, Action Jackson and Tannu Weds Manu 2 having their lead actors play double roles. Bollywood’s fascination with double roles in films dates back to the yesteryears. We decided to browse through B-town archives and re-discover some talented actors, who have previously played double roles. Take a look!
Saif Ali Khan
Saif never fails to impress us with his on screen funny acts. He made us laugh out loud and killed it with his triple role act in his last release Humshakals. And the actor seems to be in his full element as he plays a double role in his forthcoming film, Happy Ending too. While one character is of a writer the other is of a rockstar. We can’t wait!
Ajay Devgn
Ajay was first seen playing a double role in Deewane (2000). In his upcoming film Action Jackson as well, the actor will be seen playing two distinct characters. While one will be of a simple villager, the other will be of an urban rowdy guy. And Ajay fits the bill for both, right?
Kangana Ranaut
Everyone knows what a powerhouse performer Kangana is. In Anand L. Rai’s next, Tannu Weds Manu 2, her fans are in for a double treat as she plays a double role.
Jacqueline Fernandez
Post Kick, Jacqueline Fernandez is riding high on success, as she has a kitty of upcoming movies. In her next film Roy, she has double roles where she plays the character of Tia, an art enthusiast who’s also the love interest of Ranbir Kapoor in the film. And the other character is of Ayesha, a movie director.
Abhishek Bachchan
It was quiet a cool sight to see Abhishek Bachchan play a double role in Happy New Year. He charmed his way through with his Maharastrain alcoholic tapori and the sophisticated rich-guy roles. Abhishek was surely the highlight of the film.
Shah Rukh Khan
King Khan played Bablu Chaudhary, an aspiring chef and Manu Dada, a ruthless criminal in Duplicate (1998). This film opened many doors for double roles in movies for SRK. He further did dual roles in films like Paheli (2005), Don (2006) & Om Shanti Om (2007). And now we’ll see him once again in a double role in next year’s big YRF release Fan.
Salman Khan
Salman can sleep through a film and it’ll become a blockbuster. The actor was widely appreciated for his double role in Judwaa (1997). He played estranged twins, Prem and Raja who have diverse personalities. While Prem was a rich kid, Raja was a roadside tapori. Salman will also be seen playing a double role in Sooraj Bharjatya’s upcoming Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, in which he’s paired opposite Sonam Kapoor. Also there are rumours doing rounds that Salman might play a double role in Aneez Bazmee’s upcoming film, No Entry Mein Entry too, which is a sequel to No Entry.
Aamir Khan
Mr. Perfectionist stepped out of his comfort zone to essay a double role for the first time in Dhoom 3(2013). He played twins Sahir and Samar, who are magicians. His Midas touch did the magic and the movie went on to become the highest grossing Hindi film of all time.
Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar is truly the king of action packed films. He was last seen playing dual roles in Khiladi 786 (2012) and Rowdy Rathore (2012). He first played a double role in Jai Kishen (1994). In the past we saw two Akshay’s in Aflatoon (1997), Khiladi 420 (2000), 8 x 10 Tasveer (2009).
Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik debuted in Kaho Naa… Pyar Hai (2000) with a double role. The actor won a million hearts by his performance and thus became a star overnight. He’s probably the only actor to debut with a dual role. He also did a fine job by playing the father and the son duo in Krrish and Krrish 3 (2013).
Deepika Padukone
Deepika Padukone’s debut film, Om Shanti Om (2007) saw her in a double role as 70s’ superstar Shanti Priya and the new-age girl Sandhya aka Sandy. The movie did wonders and Deepika became a star overnight. Later on she played a dual role in Chandni Chowk to China (2009) as twin sisters, the Indian Saaki and the Chinese Suzi. While we liked her déjà vu effect in OSO, CC2C was a damp squib.
Shahid Kapoor
Shahid Kapoor lost his boy next-door image with Kaminey (2009). All praised Shahid’s rendering of twins, Charlie and Guddu. Charlie who has a lisp and Guddu who stutter’s in his speech were portrayed with excellence by the actor. Shahid proved himself as a spectacular performer with this movie.
Arjun Kapoor
Arjun Kapoor played a double role in his second film, Aurangzeb (2013). Even though the movie didn’t work, the young actor was praised for his body, looks and acting.
Kajol
Kajol essayed a double role in Dushman (1998). She played the role of twin sisters, Sonia and Naina. After Sonia gets raped and killed, a coy Naina goes after the killer to take revenge. The actress got a lot of critical acclaim for the film. Years later, she again played a double role as two estranged identical twins in Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi (2001). While the former film was more intense, the latter was comical.
Bipasha Basu
The double dose of Bipasha Basu in Dhoom 2 (2006) set the screen blazing. She played a beach girl in Copacabana and the tough cop in Mumbai and that bikini scene had us drooling. It is also heard that Bipasha is all set to play co-joined twins in her next film.
Sridevi
Sridevi played dual roles in films like Khud Gawah and Lamhe and in both the films she played the mother and daughter. But the actress is widely known for her double role in Chaalbaaz, which is a remake of Seeta and Geeta.
Amitabh Bachchan
Big B has played double roles in 13 of his films! Bandhe Haath (1973), Adalat (1976), Don (1978), Kasme Vaade (1978), The Great Gambler (1979), Desh Premee (1982), Satte Pe Satta (1982), Mahaan (1983), Aakhree Raasta (1986), Toofan (1989), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Lal Baadshah (1999), Suryavansham (1999).