Queen Juhi Chawla

rewatched November 28th, 2024 on Netflix

Duplicate is one of those silly Bollywood movies that I can’t help but enjoy. it’s stupid and over-the-top, but somehow it works for me. the concept of a double role is always fun, especially when it’s Shah Rukh Khan doing it. he’s done double roles before, but this time, we actually see both characters on the screen together, interacting closely. it feels fresh and exciting even though the idea itself isn’t new. the charm of this movie lies in its imperfections. the special effects, which were apparently groundbreaking for Bollywood at the time, are hilarious by today’s standards. I can literally see the edges where one Shah Rukh ends, and the other begins. but you know what? that’s part of the fun. the unpolished effects give the movie a quirky charm, and I forgive it because it was Bollywood's first try to do something ambitious for its time. the comedy and drama in this movie are entertaining, though they’re exaggerated to the max. Shah Rukh Khan brings his usual mix of over-the-top drama and comedic timing, which keeps things interesting. even when the plot gets ridiculous, his antics make it enjoyable. there’s something oddly satisfying about watching Bablu, the innocent chef, trying to deal with Mannu, the dangerous criminal. it’s chaotic but entertaining.

the songs are a mixed bag for me. Mere Mehboob Mere Sanam is definitely a highlight - catchy and memorable. the rest of the songs don’t quite make it to my playlist. I have to mention Juhi Chawla. I usually adore her in movies, but her high-pitched voice in this one can be a bit much after a while. I kept wondering if they dubbed her voice because Bollywood has this habit of doing that to female actresses, and it can be so frustrating. that said, her bubbly and sweet nature shines through, and she adds a touch of charm to the chaos.the story itself is simple but entertaining. it’s fun to see how Mannu tries to take over Bablu’s life and how Bablu fights back. it’s all so overdramatic and silly, yet somehow, I couldn’t look away. all in all, Duplicate is what I’d call a guilty pleasure movie. it’s not a masterpiece, but it’s fun in its own silly way. the flaws, the chaos, and the over-the-top drama somehow hook me in. it’s not something I’d recommend to everyone, but for those who enjoy quirky Bollywood comedies, it’s worth a watch.

final verdict: I think it was okay/watchable

maturity rating: 13+ genre: action, comedy, musical duration: 2h 44m (164 mins) country: India language: Hindi screenplay: Robin Bhatt, Akash Khurana, Javed Siddiqui major cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, Sonali Bendre, Farida Jalal