Kabhi bhai kabhi lover!

Kabhi bhai kabhi lover!

The Genelia D'Souza-Prateik Babbar camaraderie in the recently released Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na gave a new dimension to the brother-sister relationship in Hindi films.

On some occasions, they have incorporated a slight twist in this tale -- a twist by casting two actors, who may have romanced each other in other films, as siblings.

Sometimes, one of the actors concerned has a supporting role -- like Raj Babbar (who played Rekha's brother in T Ramarao's Jeevan Dhara) or Arshad Warsi (Bipasha Basu's brother in Goal). On other occasions, there may be a large age gap between the actors concerned -- like Sunil Dutt-Neetu Singh (Jaani Dushman) or Dharmendra-Madhuri Dixit (Dushman Devta).

This formula has worked reasonably on some occasions, but overall, has had to face rejection among audiences. rediff.com takes a look at a few such 'starry' siblings, who would make better couples on screen.

Amitabh Bachchan-Hema Malini

The duo played siblings in CV Sridhar's Gehri Chaal (1973).

For the record, Hema was paired opposite Jeetendra in the movie. Incidentally, this is the only film featuring both Amitabh and Jeetendra. Since the latter was the bigger star in those days, Sridhar cast Bachchan in a supporting role to Jeetendra's lead.

Though Sridhar had a decent resume (Dil Ek Mandir, Pyar Kiye Jaa, Saathi), this thriller was a strict no-no at the turnstiles and has been forgotten over the years.

They might not have succeeded as siblings but Amitabh-Hema worked wonders as a lead pair in films like Desh Premee, Naseeb, Nastik and Satte Pe Satta and are still going strong, thanks to the recent Baghbaan.

And the first nominee for the Best Bollywood Sibling goes to...

Sadhana: For continuing to sing songs with her hero Shammi Kapoor even as his brother Sanjeev Kumar goes from good to grey in Sachaai (1969).

Anil Kapoor-Meenakshi Sheshadri-Poonam Dhillon

It is always difficult to imagine Anil Kapoor play a brother to the ladies he has romanced on screen. But the actor played brother to Meenakshi Sheshadri in Inteqaam (1988) as well as Poonam Dhillon in Abhimanyu (1989).

The actor romanced Dhillon in films like Laila, Kasam and Karma while he was paired with Meenakshi in as many as nine movies, including Subhash Ghai's Meri Jung and Yash Chopra's Vijay.

Both Inteqaam and Abhimanyu, based on vengence, were rejected at the box office.

And the nomination for the Best Bollywood Sibling goes to...

Padmini Kolhapure: For giving more love and importance to her on screen brother (Jeetendra) than hubby (Mithun Chakraborty) in Vijay Sadanah's aptly titled Aisa Pyar Kahaan (1986).

Jackie Shroff-Madhuri Dixit

Jackie Shroff has always been viewed as the quintessential elder brother (preferably in a policeman garb) in Hindi cinema. But spare a thought for the timing of the film's release.

Jackie was still playing lead roles and had romanced Madhuri Dixit in Uttar Dakshin, Vardi, 100 Days, Sangeet, Prem Deewane and Khal Nayak. So Rajiv Rai's casting in Tridev (1989) was a tad unique, especially with Jackie's contemporary Sunny Deol was paired opposite Madhuri.

The film worked, and perhaps encouraged by that, Jackie went on to play Madhuri's brother-in-law in Ram Lakhan and Parinda.

And the nomination for the Best Bollywood Sibling goes to...

Suneil Shetty: For playing the elder brother in film after film. Anna has played the doting brother to Madhoo Raghunath (Pehchaan), Preeti Jhangiani (Annarth), Kareena Kapoor (Chup Chupke) and Mallika Sherawat (Shaadi Se Pehle).

Shah Rukh Khan-Aishwarya Rai

Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai were paired as twins in Josh (2000) even before they had been paired romantically.

And it was Mansoor Khan, who made this brave decision. In fact, it wouldn't be wrong to say that Shah Rukh essentially appeared in a supporting role (heroine ka bhai) in this film and was paired opposite an aspiring starlet (Priya Gill).

By pairing Ash with Chandrachur Singh, the director ensured that the focus remained on his unexpected bit of casting. Even the most important song (Apun Bola, sung by SRK himself) featured the twins.

The film fared well, but SRK and Ash went on to romance each other in Aditya Chopra's Mohabbatein (2000) and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas (2002).

And the nomination for the Best Bollywood Sibling goes to...

Sanjay Dutt: For playing the elder brother to three actresses whom he'll probably never pair up with in David Dhawan's Shaadi No 1 (2005).

Hrithik Roshan-Karisma Kapoor

The film in question is Fiza (2000). When Khalid Mohamed made this not-so-unusual casting, Hrithik was just a film old (Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai had released earlier in that year) while Karisma had almost a decade-long experience in the profession.

While putting together the cast for his film, the critic-turned-filmmaker took a leaf out of Mansoor Khan's book and ensured that the focus remained on the siblings.

Though the chemistry they shared was good, the box office fate wasn't very encouraging.

And the nomination for the Best Bollywood Sibling goes to...

Emraan Hashmi: For playing brother to Bipasha Basu in Vikram Bhatt's Footpath (2003).

Dia Mirza-Abhishek Bachchan-Dino Morea

While the former Miss India Asia Pacific (2000) has been paired with older heroes on a regular basis -- Salman Khan (Tumko Na Bhool Payenge), Ajay Devgan (Blackmail), Saif Ali Khan (Parineeta) and Suneil Shetty (Cash), she has been consigned to play the sister to heroes of her generation even before she gets a chance to romance them.

Dia appeared as Abhishek Bachchan's sister in Anubhav Sinha's Dus (2005) and reprised her sisterly act a year later in Vikram Chopra's Fight Club, this time playing Dino Morea's sibling.

Now consider this: Abhishek has appeared as the leading man opposite Dia's contemporaries and the other beauty queens of 2000 -- Lara Dutta (Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom) and Priyanka Chopra (Bluffmaster and the forthcoming Drona), while Dino was paired with Priyanka in Aap Ki Khatir. That makes Dia plain unlucky.

But Dia did get a chance to romance Abhishek -- even if it was just for a couple of minutes -- in Rajkumar Hirani's cult classic Lage Raho Munna Bhai.

And the award for the Best Bollywood Sibling goes to...

Suneil Shetty: This one isn't rigged. He definitely deserves it! :)

Out of all those siblings, i clearly remember Hrithik-Karishma in Fiza. I thought they looked alike (it's the eyes!) and they gave power-packed performances it may not have done well at the box office, but it was still a very good film🙂