What’s better than one actor? Two actors. Buddy films are a big hit in Hollywood now. Sholay is the ultimate buddy film. B-Town has always done two-hero films. Remember Sanjay Dutt and Govinda in Haseena Maan Jayegi? Aamir Khan and Salman Khan in Andaz Apna Apna, Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan in Kal Ho Na Ho? Such films haven’t happened for some time now. We enjoyed Dostana (Abhishek Bachchan-John Abraham) and Desi Boyz (Akshay Kumar-John Abraham) but there is room for a lot more ‘bromance’ on screen. After Hrs has put together a list in the hope that filmmakers will rope some of these jodis. Read on...
What is a buddy film?
A buddy film is a genre in which two people of the same sex (historically men) are paired. The two often contrast in personality, which creates a different dynamic onscreen than a pairing of two people of the opposite sex. The contrast is sometimes accentuated by an ethnic difference between the two. The buddy film is commonplace in American as well as Indian cinema; and it works with different pairings and different themes.
The Los Angeles Times in 2001 called the genre ‘a necessary escapist fantasy’, writing, “It’s one of the few arenas where men can openly express their feelings for each other, even though men on screen today seem less comfortable with each other than ever before.” In buddy films, the two men are markedly different, and their relationship with each other is challenged by events in the film. The two are often different enough that one is aggravated by the other. The interaction between two men also differs from the interaction between a man and a woman, which shapes a film’s dynamics.
Shahid Kapoor & Shah Rukh Khan
Why: They have hosted many award functions together and they complement each other perfectly. While Shah Rukh has cutting wit, Shahid has those twinkling eyes and easy charm. They even have dimples and floppy hair... Hell, they can play brothers!
What kind of film: One directed by Farah Khan... mad, irreverent and fully commercial!
Akshay Kumar & Varun Dhawan
Why: Both the actors have a naughty, flirty streak and can play the lover boys with an aplomb. Plus Akshay’s sporty action is something that Varun can be pushed to try and match up to.
What kind of film: A Desi Boyz reloaded for sure! Directed by Rohit Dhawan who made the original.
Abhishek Bachchan & Ranveer Singh
Why: Abhishek’s subtle and wry sense of humour can provide the perfect foil to Ranveer’s hyper histrionics very much like Jai-Veeru of Sholay!
What kind of flick: Something on the lines of You, Me and Dupree with Ranveer as Randolph Dupree (Owen Wilson) and AB as Carl (Matt Dillon) would fit their temperaments! Rohan Sippy, are you listening?
Ranbir Kapoor & Anil Kapoor
Why: The ‘Jhakaas’ Kapoor in an over-the-top form and a subdued Ranbir Kapoor are just a pair waiting to be cast together. They could even work as father-son if Anil agrees.
What kind of flick: We see them together in a Men In Black kind of a film with Anurag Basu in the director’s seat with Anil as Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) and Ranbir as Agent J (Will Smith).
Vidyut Jamwal & Ajay Devgn
Why: The two share a kind of intensity that is best suited for an action flick.
What kind of flick: A high-octane cop drama like Trading Places directed by Sanjay Gupta
Arjun Kapoor & Salman Khan
Why: Arjun is Salman’s protege and they would make an unexpected pair on screen. We see Kapoor playing the role of clueless Romeo being coached by the big brother Khan, who is a ladies man. A complete ladies charmer with a shy guy could make for an interesting ‘partner’ship! Salman’s naughty sense of humour and Arjun’s
straight-faced lost boy charm can be each other’s perfect foil.
What kind of flick: We see this one being directed by Rohit Shetty. He is the only one who can capture this equation successfully on screen.
Siddharth Malhotra & Hrithik Roshan
Why: Besides matching muscles, the two all-rounders fit the family guy image pretty well too.
What kind of flick: A Karan Johar kind of a family film with doses of everything thrown in, in generous measures really.
Abhay Deol & Sunny Deol
Why: Simply because despite being cousins, the two belong to absolutely two different kinds of cinemas and even acting. A combination of the two would be interesting to watch out for.
What kind of flick: A film like 48 Hours (1982), the Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte starrer, helmed by Milan Luthria. Remember his Kachche Dhaage with Ajay Devgn and Saif Ali Khan?
Aamir Khan & Imran Khan
Why: The maamu-bhanja jodi will score high on curiosity meter. While Aamir fits into any part with ease, Imran would be best-suited for an urbane setting. Plus it would be nice to see their easy real equation translate on screen.
What kind of flick: Raju Hirani would be too predictable. We want to see Rajkumar Santoshi direct this duo in a film.
John Abraham & Emraan Hashmi
Why: John can handle the action part of the film, while Emraan can be the lover boy. The two are as different from each other as chalk and cheese, so their interaction is bound to be interesting on screen.
What kind of flick: A Rush Hour kind of a film directed by Mohit Suri.
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