Movie plots thrive on confusion-induced humour and what creates more confusion than two people who look the same.

Remember the hilarity that ensued when Anju and Manju changed places in Sridevi’s hit Chaalbaaz? Or the Shakespearean mess that was Angoor where two sets of master and servant changed place, much to the befuddlement of all and sundry, except the audience, for whom, double roles means double the fun.

It’s not a co-incidence, then, that classic comedy in India is often associated with double roles. Chaalbaaz and Angoor are movies that are fondly remembered when the topic of double roles and comedy comes up and they’re not alone — the list is long and illustrious and includes movies like Andaz Apna Apna, Seeta aur Geeta, Judwaa and Aankhen. “It’s the scope for twists and misunderstandings that doubles provide for comedy that is so appealing to filmmakers,” says director Anees Bazmee who’s made such movies himself like Govinda-starrer Aankhen and Gopi Kishen, which was one of Suneil Shetty’s earliest hits. “And it’s interesting to audiences because it’s basic human nature to be curious about people who look exactly alike.”

However, it’s not just comedy that has benefited from this penchant for twins. Director Vikramjit Singh whose Mera Jahaan stars Ranbir Kapoor in a double role feels that double roles have contributed to more than just comedy. “I don’t really see the connection between the two. Double roles have also worked in movies where humour didn’t play such a large part. In fact, it all depends on the script requirements.”

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