In 1962 filmmaker Shakti Samanta wrote a unique script of two identical brothers, one a simpleton and a good human being while the other brother a wicked and evil character. The film was China Town. In this film, Shammi Kapoor’s played the double role of a powerful Don called Mike and other a simpleton called Shekhar. Both are separated at birth. The police take advantage and cleverly plant the simpleton in the gang and trap the original gangster.
Dual Identities: Shammi Kapoor’s Iconic Performance
Shammi Kapoor’s China Town inspired blockbusters like Kalicharan (1976), Don (1978), Duplicate (1998), Don (2006), and Rowdy Rathore (2012).
In Kasme Vaade (1978), Amitabh Bachchan delivered a stunning performance as a dual character – a refined professor and a ruthless gangster – showcasing his versatility in portraying good vs evil. Similarly, Bachchan played a double role of good and bad in other films like Satte Pe Satta, Bemisal, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan etc. Other actors who played such double roles are Rajesh Khanna in Sachaa Jhutha (1970), Rajendra Kumar in Gora Aur Kala (1972), Sunil Dutt in Geeta Mera Naam (1974), Jeetendra in Meri Aawaz Suno (1981), Anil Kapoor in Yudh (1985) etc. Dilip Kumar’s fascination with the good vs evil theme led him to take on a dual role in the film Qila (1998). In this film, he played a rapist and a judge!!
Likewise, Rajinikanth in Robot is another good example of an actor doing a positive and negative role. Sanjeev Kumar in Jaani Dushman too played a similar dual role of a golden heart Zamindaar but in the climax, he turns out to be the horrendous monster killing the brides in the village. Likewise, Aamir Khan in Dhoom 3 played brilliantly the role of the villain and the simpleton exceptionally. Other actors who played such roles are Naseeruddin Shah (Rajkumar), Keith Stevenson in (Akayla), Anupam Kher in Oh Darling Yeh Hai India, etc the list is long.
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