The year was 1995, and Bollywood witnessed the release of a cinematic marvel that remains etched in the hearts of millions – Karan Arjun. Directed by Rakesh Roshan, the film hit the screens on January 13, 1995, and instantly became a blockbuster, captivating audiences with its unique blend of action, drama, and reincarnation. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Kajol, Mamta Kulkarni, Raakhee Gulzar, Amrish Puri, and Ashok Saraf, Karan Arjun wasn’t just a movie; it was an emotional rollercoaster that celebrated family, revenge, and the undying belief in karma.
Why you couldn’t rent Karan Arjun in 1995 – How Rakesh Roshan’s masterstroke to delay video cassettes proved to be a game changer at the box office
The film brought together two of Bollywood’s biggest stars, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, as Karan and Arjun, two brothers destined to reunite across lifetimes. Their camaraderie, contrasting personalities, and intense performances became a talking point and set a benchmark for ensemble storytelling. Raakhee Gulzar, as Durga, delivered one of her most iconic performances, with her dialogue, “Mere Karan Arjun aayenge,” becoming a rallying cry for eternal hope. Amrish Puri as the menacing Durjan Singh created a villain audiences loved to hate, while Kajol and Mamta Kulkarni added depth and charm as the love interests.
Karan Arjun stormed the box office with unprecedented collections. The film grossed over ₹35 crores worldwide, an extraordinary feat in the 1990s.
Karan Arjun‘s immense box-office success in 1995 brought with it an unexpected twist in the home entertainment market, leading to one of Bollywood’s most talked-about stories of the era. During the 90s, video cassettes were a lucrative avenue for filmmakers and production houses to extend a movie’s reach into the home-viewing audience. The original plan was to release Karan Arjun‘s video cassettes just four weeks after its theatrical debut. However, the film’s unprecedented theatrical collections led to a strategic pivot.
As Karan Arjun continued its rock-steady performance during the first two weeks and showed no signs of slowing down in its third week, director Rakesh Roshan saw an opportunity to maximize the film’s theatrical revenue. Roshan approached Dhirubhai Shah and Pravin Shah, the owners of Time Video, which held the home-viewing rights for the film, with an unusual request – delay the release of the video cassettes. His reasoning was simple but bold – keeping the cassettes off the shelves would encourage more audiences to flock to theaters, extending the movie’s box-office dominance.
Initially, the proposal was met with resistance. Time Video had already locked in advertisements for inclusion in the Karan Arjun cassettes, and a delay would not only impact these deals but also create ripples across their pipeline of future releases. The Shah brothers feared substantial financial losses, both from the halted advertising revenue and from breaking their commitments to advertisers who had pre-booked slots in upcoming video releases. Moreover, the already planned marketing campaign for Karan Arjun‘s video release was in full swing, making a postponement even more complicated.
Determined to protect his film’s theatrical potential, Rakesh Roshan negotiated a high-stakes deal. He offered to personally compensate Time Video for the losses incurred due to advertising cancellations and delays in cassette sales. Furthermore, he agreed to let Time Video release the cassettes at a later date, entirely on his terms, ensuring they could still capitalize on the film’s popularity when it was time for home viewing.
This decision proved to be a masterstroke. By holding back the video cassettes, Karan Arjun extended its theatrical run and sustained its momentum at the box office for months, allowing it to achieve record-breaking collections. The delayed cassette release added a layer of exclusivity, further fueling the audience’s anticipation for owning a piece of this cinematic phenomenon.
The move not only underscored Rakesh Roshan’s foresight and business acumen but also set a precedent for how Bollywood handled video releases for blockbuster films. This chapter surrounding the video cassette release of Karan Arjun remains a fascinating chapter in the movie’s legacy, reflecting the power struggles and strategic decisions that defined the entertainment industry in the pre-digital era.
Fast forward nearly three decades, and Karan Arjun is all set to enthrall audiences once again with its re-release on November 22, 2024. Restored and remastered for the big screen, this re-release aims to introduce a new generation to the magic of 90s Bollywood and allow longtime fans to relive the nostalgia.
The timing couldn’t be more perfect as Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan continue to rule Bollywood, reminding us of their unparalleled charisma and legacy. As Karan Arjun roars back into theaters, it brings with it memories, magic, and the promise that “Mere Karan Arjun aayenge” will always hold true.
Also Read: Salman Khan – Shah Rukh Khan starrer Karan Arjun makes historic re-release in 1114 theatres across India
More Pages: Karan Arjun Box Office Collection
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