Bollywood movies based on reincarnation

Karan - Arjun

Rakesh Roshan's 'Karan Arjun' starring Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan is by far the most loved Bollywood movie based on reincarnation. The movie was the second biggest hit of 1995, after the cult 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.' The movie saw two of the most prominent Khan's of Bollywood sharing screen space together for the first time. The movie was declared as a blockbuster at the end of its run.

Karz

'Karz' was directed by noted filmmaker Subhash Ghai in 1980 and starred Rishi Kapoor, Tina Munim and Simi Garewal in lead roles. The movie had a slight twist as the hero is not reborn as himself. Raj Kiran dies and Rishi Kapoor is born from the ashes. Though the theme of reincarnation had been made earlier, the modern twist of murder and revenge was a pot-boiler. 'Karz' went on to be remade in Kannada, Tamil and Telugu. The movie was also remade in Hindi in 2008 starring Himesh Reshammiya. The soundtrack of the movie went viral and music director Laxmikant-Pyarelal bagged the Filmfare Best Music Director award. The movie's songs also influenced several movie titles over the years.

Om Shanti Om

'Om Shanti Om' was directed by Farah Khan and stars superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. The movie marked Deepika's debut into Bollywood. This movie borrows heavily from another movie on reincarnation ‘Madhumati.’ 'Om Shanti Om' went on to become a blockbuster and the highest grossing film of its time. Deepika bagged the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. The movie also won the National Film Award for Best Art Direction - Sabu Cyril.

Makkhi (Eega)

Originally released in Telugu titled 'Eega,' the movie was later dubbed in Hindi and titled 'Makkhi.' Directed by legendary filmmaker SS Rajamouli, the movie stars Telugu actors Sudeep and Samantha Ruth Prabhu in lead roles. Set against all conventions, this rebirth with a twist like no other wherein the hero is reborn as a fly. This inter-species re-incarnation was unheard off but it took off like none other. 'Makkhi' avenges those who killed him to win his love, but even as a fly, he tries to keep her safe. The movie won several awards and also bagged the National Award for Best Special Effect.

Kudrat

Written and directed by Chetan Anand, this movie starring Rajesh Khanna, Hema Malini, Raaj Kumar, Vinod Khanna, Aruna Irani and A. K. Hangal boasted of a major star cast and had some of the most memorable songs. The story has too many twists and was on the usual lines of reincarnation. This is the second time Rajesh Khanna and Hema Malini were paired together in a movie based on reincarnation. The movie won the Filmfare Award for Best Story.