Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, and Sridevi – Stars who redefined Bollywood’s double roles

Amitabh Bachchan has done several double roles, but his role in Don was legendary. With the cold-hearted Don and his innocent doppelgänger Vijay, he brought a balance of swagger and simplicity to both characters. With an engaging story for its time, memorable dialogue, and a great performance from Bachchan that created a cult classic, Don was such a classic that we now have a contemporary remake.

This classic established the “twins separated at birth" formula. Dilip Kumar played the timid Ram and brave Shyam in a way that felt real yet also couldn't have felt any more different. His ability to switch characters was so effortless, that other actors still aspire to that mastery.

Ramesh Sippy took an available and well-tested formula and added the twist of a female lead, and brought in Hema Malini who did a fantastic job. A perfect combination of meek Seeta and fiery Geeta, to show how versatile she could be in only one role. Her shining performance made it a mega hit, and justified calling her Bollywood's "Dream Girl."

This comedic classic, inspired by Shakespeare's 'The Comedy of Errors', still excites audiences many decades later. Sanjeev Kumar, with Deven Verma, played two sets of identical twins, causing amusing confusion and chaos at every point. Kumar's impeccable comic timing and his gradual changes in personality made the mayhem believable and the movie classic.

Late actress, Sridevi followed the template of a 'Seeta Aur Geeta' and made it her own. Playing the timid Anju and bold Manju, Sridevi dazzled with her comic chops and unrivaled vitality. Her ability to alternate between innocent and sassy made 'ChaalBaaz' a huge success and remains one of her most revered performances.