Anil Kapoor & Rakesh Roshan Movies Together List — 4 Films

The shape of the work

The 1980s belonged to Kala Bazaar; the 2000s to Karobaar: The Business of Love. Anil Kapoor acted in every film; Rakesh Roshan directed all of them. Strictly Hindi cinema — they never crossed industries together.

Partnership facts

• Anil Kapoor was already a star when Rakesh Roshan cast him in Kala Bazaar (1989). But Rakesh took a risk — he made Anil play a poor, honest taxi driver instead of a hero. Anil said yes because Rakesh promised him a role with 'no makeup and no style.'
• On the set of Kishen Kanhaiya (1990), Rakesh Roshan realized Anil Kapoor could switch between twin roles without any cue cards. Rakesh would just say 'change' mid-scene, and Anil would instantly shift from the shy brother to the loud one. No rehearsal. No retake.
• After Khel (1992) flopped, Rakesh Roshan didn't call Anil Kapoor for eight years. Anil thought they were done. Then in 2000, Rakesh suddenly rang him at 2 AM and said, 'I have a script. You're a blind businessman. Come.' That became Karobaar. Anil later said he didn't even ask for the full script.
• Rakesh Roshan once said about Anil Kapoor: 'He is the only actor who would call me at 4 AM to discuss a scene. I told him, 'Anil, I am not your co-star. I am your director. Go to sleep.' But that's why I kept casting him — he cared too much.'
• The only reason Karobaar (2000) exists is because Rakesh Roshan wanted to prove he could make a film without his son Hrithik. He called Anil and said, 'Let's do one more. Just us.' The film tanked, but it directly led to Rakesh deciding to never direct anyone except Hrithik again — which gave us Koi... Mil Gaya.