Mere Karan Arjun aayenge: But, will they be welcomed by Gen Z?

‘Mere bete aayenge, mere Karan Arjun aayenge. Zameen ki chhaati phaad ke aayenge, aasman ka seena cheer ke aayenge.’ This iconic dialogue by Rakhee Gulzar in the 1995 reincarnation drama, Karan Arjun, left fans with a lingering hope for the return of two legendary stars, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. The unforgettable dialogues, the high-energy dance sequences to the powerhouse performances by the cast, every aspect of the film is etched in the memories of its fans.
Now, three decades later, as Karan Arjun re-released in cinemas on November 22, the excitement is palpable. And it’s not just the fans of the past who eagerly awaited this moment—the younger generation, the ‘Gen Z,’ is equally thrilled, making the anticipation even greater.
Watch the film’s trailer here:

What makes the film’s re-release even more special is the new generation witnessing a cinematic experience brought to them by Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, who were back then on the verge of entering super stardom.
As the film marks its 30-year milestone (January 2025), audiences—especially millennials—are more than excited to relive its magic on the big screen. But the question which arises is whether Gen Z, who missed the film’s original theatrical run, will embrace the wave of this cinematic nostalgia?
Actor Aasif Sheikh, who played the role of Suraj Singh in Rakesh Roshan’s Karan Arjun, reflected on the idea of how the film would provide a unique opportunity for today’s generation to connect with legendary works.
“It’s exciting to think about how much they can learn from it, just like my son did after watching The Angry Young Men on Prime Video, where Javed Akhtar Saab and Salim Saab discussed their iconic works. He began watching their films in reverse order, and through that, he truly understood the essence of their cinema,” Aasif told India Today Digital.
“The movie has everything a young viewer would enjoy: love, action, emotion, and even reincarnation. While some elements may seem over the top for today’s generation, that’s part of the charm. It’s what makes it timeless and unforgettable,” he added.
Now, what can the young generation expect from the film? SRK and Salman sharing screen space, where both their roles carrying equal weight, a beautifully woven story to keep you glued, emotional moments, thrilling action sequences, songs that will make you groove and one of the biggest villains, Amrish Puri’s return. If this isn’t the perfect recipe to make your weekend memorable, then what is?
For 24-year-old Snehanjali who works in a corporate firm, the only goosebump-worthy moment in cinema was when she saw SRK and Salman together in the 2022 film Pathaan. Snehanjali is eager to relive that moment again by watching the iconic duo on screen for the first time in Karan Arjun.
“I was at the theatre in 2022 to watch Pathaan when, during a thrilling action sequence, Salman Khan appeared as Tiger, his character. It was a truly goosebump-inducing moment. From that exhilarating scene to eagerly anticipating their reunion in Tiger 3, it’s the kind of magic that cinema offers. I am very excited to watch them in the classic film. As a viewer of the 2000s, it’s a great opportunity to experience such a film in theatres,” she told India Today Digital.
Afterall, who doesn’t want to relive the loud cheers in theatres once again!

While some wait to book their tickets on the day of release or the night before, Vignesh, an engineer from Chennai, couldn’t contain his excitement and reserved his seat the moment the bookings went live.
The 25-year-old, who does not belong to the general Bollywood fanbase, has his own reasons to watch Karan Arjun in theatres. Well, given his love for the Khans, he told India Today Digital that he wanted to experience the cinematic presence of the two stars and the overall feel of the masala entertainer. He says he heard so much about the movie from his friends, and not to miss the hilarious memes on social media, that he just cannot wait to witness the magic in the theatre.
“I grew up during a time when there was a lot of tension between the actors, and their recent reconciliation has only been heartwarming. Ever since I heard about the re-release, I have been trying to reconnect with my filmy friends to experience the vintage charm of SRK and Salman.”

A still from Karan Arjun (Photo: IMDb)

Theatres won’t just be buzzing with first-timers; even loyal fans are thrilled to watch Karan Arjun again—perhaps for the tenth time—cherishing its iconic dialogues, catchy tracks, and, of course, the legendary villain, Amrish Puri.
Deboddina Chakraborty, 24, a budding filmmaker, told India Today Digital that he has planned to go visit the theatres for pure nostalgia. “It is one of those movies which introduced me to cinema. Watching it on a box TV with one directional audio was all that cinema was to me at that point. Other than SRK and Salman’s on-screen brotherhood, the thing that intrigues me to watch it again is Amrish Puri’s curveball dialogues, which I can’t get over”, said Chakraborty.
He adds another reason for his visit to the theatres — to see the audience hooting during the song Jaati Hoon Main, featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s sizzling chemistry.
Watch Jaati Hoon Main song video here:

While many might be nostalgic and excited, there are some for whom Karan Arjun’s re-release fails to capture the interest.
Shagun Roy, a content creator, who never watched the film, explains why this disconnect exists. “The film never really caught my interest, even though it was aired so many times on TV. I’d say, it’s just not my genre. Honestly, I don’t really care much about Salman and SRK. Unless they’re releasing movies like Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani or Jab We Met, that’s something I would look forward to. These are the films I grew up watching, and they hold a special place for me. But, when it comes to Karan Arjun, I just don’t feel the need to watch it, even if it gets re-released”, she told us.
The 22-year-old further elaborated that, for Gen Z, Karan Arjun might feel like a relic from a bygone era they never experienced. While the film remains iconic for its time, she feels that its themes and presentation might not resonate as strongly with younger viewers like her, who are used to faster-paced narratives and more complex characters with simpler feelings.
Other than nostalgia, the film also provided fodder for memes, which have successfully connected the younger audience with the movie. Starting from the legendary dialogue ‘mere Karan Arjun aayenge’ to ‘hum khandani thakur hain’, the film has been reimagined in countless memes, cleverly applied to everything from personal struggles to pop culture moments. Through humour, the film has become relatable to a generation that wasn’t even born when it first hit the screens.
Harshita, a 22-year-old journalist, shared that despite the popularity the film has garnered over the years, she does not intend to watch it in cinema halls.
She said, “Memes offer bite-sized entertainment, while the film’s 2-hour-plus runtime and dated visuals do not appeal to me. Karan Arjun may hold sentimental value for people like my parents and my sister, but for me, that emotional touch is missing. Some of my friends are excited about the re-release, but for me, it is peer pressure.”
Look at some of the iconic Karan Arjun memes here:
The re-release of Karan Arjun offers a nostalgic journey for long-time fans while sparking curiosity among Gen Z about the legendary on-screen pairing of Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. For some, it’s a chance to relive cherished cinematic moments, while for others, it’s an opportunity to experience a classic on the big screen for the first time.
Yet, as opinions vary, the film’s enduring legacy—whether through iconic dialogues, timeless performances, or its modern-day meme culture—proves its relevance across generations. While not everyone might be drawn, the craze refuses to subside. Whether for nostalgia or novelty, Karan Arjun toh aakhir wapis aa hi gaye !