Double Impact: About dual roles in films

The industry has always been fascinated with double roles. Though almost all formulas have been tried and tested, audiences, for some reason, love the genre. And filmmakers have been cashing in on it as is evident by the four big films this year — Alone, Roy, Tanu Weds Manu Returns and Baahubali — all with dual roles.

Salman Khan too will be playing a double role in Sooraj Barjatya’s Prem Ratan Dhan Payo that is slated to release later this year. In fact, Salman has also announced that the sequel to his 2014 blockbuster Kick will also see him play dual characters.

Even Shah Rukh Khan’s YRF project, Fan, will see him portray the superstar as well as the fan. Producer Pritish Nandy, who’s producing Mastizaade that has Sunny Leone in a dual role, says, “A double role is the least important factor; what’s important is the impact of the film and its magic. If a film has smart storytelling and great appeal, it will work. They can also become a trendsetter if all goes well. However, nothing is ever assured in the movie business. It’s all about taking a chance.”

Writing a double role film comes with its fair share of challenges. Director Omung Kumar says, “What seems new here may have already been done in another part of the world. Each character has to be sorted out in a way that the audience is convinced that two characters are being played and it’s not the same person. For this, you need to get the mannerisms, style and portrayal right. It’s not just about adding a mole here or sporting a different look. Also, it’s a meatier role for an actor and the perfect opportunity to display his/her acting chops.”

Having a double role in a film is also the most sought-after formula for a sequel. Aamir Khan played a dual role in Dhoom 3, which went on to break several box office records. Kangna Ranaut, who has been very vocal about not wanting to be a part of sequels, signed up for Tanu Weds Manu Returns only because she knew that the two roles were as diverse as possible.

Is it safe to say that double roles are a foolproof formula for getting a superhit sequel? Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha says, “A brilliant script will lead to a fantastic execution. Often you have the regular clichés of twins separated at birth or rebirth, etc., which have been done to death. The idea has to be innovative — out-of-the-box. If it’s not engaging, the same formula can fall flat.”