1917 is the year when Dadasaheb Phalke's 'Lanka Dahan', the first Indian movie to have an actor play a double role, was released. In it 'Anna Salunke' played the roles of both Ram & Sita.
1933 is when the first Indian talkie, Master Vithal's 'Awara Shahzada' was released. It had 'Shahu Modak' enacting the role of a prince and a pauper.
Since 1951 there have been a total of
210 movies with a double/multiple role played by an actor.
Since 1951 there have been only 8 yrs without any movie in this category.
From 1960 till 2002, that is 43 yrs, there has not been a single year without atleast one movie in this category.
The decade with the most movies in this category:
1990s - 62 moviesThe decade with the least movies in this category:
1950s - 7 movies1950s - 7 movies (5 yrs without any movie)
1960s - 27 movies (0 yrs without any movie)
1970s - 45 movies (0 yrs without any movie)
1980s - 40 movies (0 yrs without any movie)
1990s - 62 movies (0 yrs without any movie)
2000s - 29 movies (2 yrs without any movie)
The years with the most movies in this category are:
1998 with 11 movies. 11 movies - 1998
10 movies - NIL
9 movies - 1974
8 movies - 1968, 1984, 1997
7 movies - 1992, 1994, 1999
6 movies - 1972, 1976, 1982, 1986, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2002
5 movies - 1970, 1973, 1978, 1996, 2008
4 movies - 1966, 1967, 1971, 1981, 1985, 1989, 2006
3 movies - 1969, 1988, 1990
2 movies - 1951, 1958, 1961, 1964, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1987, 1993, 2001, 2005, 2009
1 movie - 1952, 1955, 1957, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1975, 1983, 2004, 2007
0 movies - 1950, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1959, 2003
Actor who has played double/multiple roles in the most number of movies:
Amitabh Bachchan - 13 moviesActor who has played the most number of roles in a single movie:
Sanjeev Kumar - 8 rolesActor who has featured in the most movies in this category of movies:
Amitabh Bachchan - 14 movies.Actor who has played double/multiple roles in the most number of movies in a single year:
Nine Actors Tied with 2 movies eachAjay Devgan (Once - 1999)
Amitabh Bachchan (Thrice - 1978, 1982, 1999)
Anil Kapoor (Once - 1990)
Dharmendra (Once - 1984)
Kader Khan (Once - 1994)
Mithun Chakraborty (Once -1984)
Rajesh Khanna (Once - 1976)
Sanjeev Kumar (Once - 1981)
Sridevi (Once - 1991)
Actor who has played double/multiple roles in more than one film in a single year, the most number of times:
Amitabh Bachchan - Thrice (1978, 1982, 1999)Pair of Actors playing double/multiple roles opposite each other the most times:
Rajesh Khanna & Hema Malini - Twice (1976, 1981)Actor who has played double/multiple reincarnation roles, the most number of times:
Four Actors Tied with 2 movies eachRajesh Khanna (1976, 1981)
Hema Malini (1976, 1981)
Rishi Kapoor (1988, 1991)
Shahrukh Khan (1995, 2008)
Titles in this category, Listed by year of release.1950:1951:Afsana (Ashok Kumar)
Albela (Master Bhagwan Palav)
1952:1953:1954:1955:Azaad (Dilip Kumar) <---UNCORFIRMED
1956:1957:Apradhi Kaun? (Gajanan Jagirdar)
1958:Madhumati (Dilip Kumar - Reincarnation) (Vyjantimala - Triple Role/Reincarnation)
Phagun (Bharat Bhushan - Reincarnation) (Madhubala - Triple Role/Reincarnation)
1959:1960:1961:Hum Dono (Dev Anand)
Main aur Mera Bhai (Mehmood)
1962:China Town (Shammi Kapoor)
1963:Akeli Mat Jaiyo (Rajendra Kumar)
1964:Shabnam (Vijayshanti)
Woh Kaun Thi (Sadhana)
1965:Ek Sapera Ek Lootera (Feroze Khan)
1966:Dil Diya Dard Liya (Tun Tun)
Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (Nutan)
Mamta (Suchitra Sen)
Mera Saya (Sadhana)
1967:An Evening In Paris (Sharmila Tagore)
Milan (Sunil Dutt - Reincarnation) (Nutan - Reincarnation)
Raaz (Rajesh Khanna)
Ram Aur Shyam (Dilip Kumar)
1968:Baharoon Ki Manzil (Meena Kumari)
Do Dooni Char (Asit Sen) (Kishore Kumar)
Do Kaliyan (Neetu Singh)
Haseena Maan Jayegi (Shashi Kapoor)
Humsaya (Joy Mukerjee)
Izzat (Dharmendra)
Jhuk Gaya Aasman (Rajendra Kumar)
Raja Aur Runk (Master Mahesh Kothare)
1969:Aradhana (Rajesh Khanna)
Tumse Achha Kaun Hai (Lalita Pawar)
Yakeen (Dharmendra)
1970:Aansoo Aur Muskan (Hema Malini)
Humjoli (Mehmood - Triple Role)
Johny Mera Naam (I. S. Johar)
Sawan Bhadon (Navin Nishchol)
Sachaa Jhuta (Rajesh Khanna)
1971:Lal Pathar (Raaj Kumar)
Man Mandir (Waheeda Rehman)
Maryada (Mala Sinha)
Sharmilee (Rakhee)
1972:Dastaan (Dilip Kumar) (Sachin)
Gora Aur Kala (Rajendra Kumar)
Jungle Mein Mangal (Pran)
Milap (Shatrughan Sinha - Reincarnation) (Reena Roy - Reincarnation)
Samadhi (Dharmendra)
Seeta Aur Geeta (Hema Malini)
1973:Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar (Asrani)
Bandhe Haath (Amitabh Bachchan)
Dharma (Rekha)
Do Phool (Mehmood)
Jaise Ko Taisa (Jeetendra)
1974:5 Rifles (Ambika Johar)
Bidaai (Asrani)
Chhote Sarkar (Shammi Kapoor)
Geeta Mera Naam (Sadhana)
Humshakal (Rajesh Khanna)
Ishq Ishq Ishq (Zeenat Aman)
Mausam (Sharmila Tagore)
Naya Din Nayi Raat (Sanjeev Kumar - EIGHT Roles)
Pocket Maar (Mehmood)
1975:Qaid (Leena Chandravarkar)
1976:Adalat (Amitabh Bachchan)
Bairaag (Dilip Kumar - Triple role)
Do Ladkiyan (Mala Sinha)
Kalicharan (Shatrughan Sinha)
Maha Chor (Rajesh Khanna)
Mehbooba (Hema Malini - Reincarnation) (Rajesh Khanna - Reincarnation)
1977:Amar Akbar Anthony (Jeevan)
Vishwasghat (Sanjeev Kumar)
1978:Bhola Bhala (Rajesh Khanna)
Don (Amitabh Bachchan)
Karamyogi (Rajkumar)
Kasme Vaade (Amitabh Bachchan)
Tumhare Liye (Sanjeev Kumar)
1979:Lahu Ke Do Rang (Vinod Khanna)
The Great Gambler (Amitabh Bachchan)
1980:Bandish (Hema Malini)
Guru (Sridevi) (Tamil/Telugu)
1981:Biwi O Biwi (Sanjeev Kumar)
Kudrat (Hema Malini - Reincarnation) (Rajesh Khanna - Reincarnation)
Ladies Tailor (Reena Roy) (Sanjeev Kumar)
Meri Aawaz Suno (Jeetendra)
1982:Aamne Samne (Mithun Chakraborty)
Angoor (Deven Verma) (Sanjeev Kumar)
Desh Premee (Amitabh Bachchan)
Dharam Kanta (Amjad Khan)
Gazab (Dharmendra)
Satte Pe Satta (Amitabh Bachchan)
1983:Mahaan (Amitabh Bachchan - Triple role)
1984:Aasmaan (Rajiv Kapoor)
Dharam Aur Kanoon (Rajesh Khanna)
Jeene Nahin Doonga (Dharmendra)
Jhutha Sach (Dharmendra)
John Jani Janardhan (Rajnikanth)
Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki (Mithun Chakraborty)
Laila (Sunil Dutt)
Rakta Bandhan (Mithun Chakraborty)
1985:Hum Dono (Rajesh Khanna)
Lover Boy (Rajiv Kapoor)
Rahi Badal Gaye (Rishi Kapoor)
Yudh (Anil Kapoor)
1986:Aakhree Raasta (Amitabh Bachchan)
Allah Rakha (Jackie Shroff)
Ghar Sansar (Aruna Irani) (Kader Khan)
Khel Mohabbat Ka (Poonam Dhillon)
Sajna Saath Nibhana (Neelu) (Danish Khan)
Singhasan (Jeetendra)
1987:Insaaf (Dimple Kapadia)
Param Dharam (Mithun Chakraborty)
1988:Bees Saal Baad (Dimple Kapadia - Reincarnation) (Mithun Chakraborty - Reincarnation)
Dariya Dil (Kader Khan)
Janam Janam (Rishi Kapoor - Reincarnation) (Vinita Goel - Triple Role/Reincarnation)
1989:Chaalbaaz (Sridevi)
Gair Kaanooni (Rajnikanth)
Shehzaade (Dharmendra)
Toofan (Amitabh Bachchan)
1990:Ghar Ho To Aisa (Anil Kapoor)
Hatim Tai (Sangeeta Bijlani)
Kishen Kanhaiya (Anil Kapoor)
1991:Akayla (Keith Stevenson)
Banjaran (Rishi Kapoor - Reincarnation) (Sridevi - Reincarnation)
House No. 13 (Anil Dhawan)
Jaan Ki Kasam (Raza Murad)
Lamhe (Sridevi)
Paap Ki Aandhi (Dharmendra)
1992:Bol Radha Bol (Rishi Kapoor)
Dil Hi To Hai (Jackie Shroff)
Jaan Se Pyaraa (Govinda)
Khuda Gawah (Sridevi)
Sangeet (Madhuri Dixit)
Suryavanshi (Salman Khan)
Umar 55 Ki Dil Bachpan Ka (Kader Khan)
1993:Aankhen (Govinda, Raj Babbar, Kader khan)
Gurudev (Sridevi)
1994:Amaanat (Kiran Kumar)
Andaz Apna Apna (Paresh Rawal)
Gopi Kishan (Sunil Shetty)
Hum Hain Bemisal (Jagdeep)
Jai Kishan (Akshay Kumar)
Main Khiladi Tu Anari (Kader Khan) (Shilpa Shetty)
Pehla Pehla Pyar (Kader Khan - Five Roles)
1995:Bewafa Sanam (Shilpa Shirodkar)
Hathkadi (Govinda)
Jallaad (Mithun Chakraborty)
Karan Arjun (Salman Khan - Reincarnation) (Shahrukh Khan - Reincarnation)
Prem (Sanjay Kapoor - Reincarnation) (Tabu - Reincarnation)
The Don (Kader Khan - Triple Role)
1996:Bandish (Jackie Shroff)
Chhote Sarkar (Govinda)
English Babu Desi Mem (Shahrukh Khan - Triple role)
Hum Hain Khalnayak (Shakti Kapoor)
Rangbaaz (Mithun Chakraborty) <--UNCONFIRMED
1997:Aankhon Mein Tum Ho (Sharad Kapoor)
Aflatoon (Akshay Kumar)
Betaabi (Rakesh Bedi)
Hamesha (Kajol - Reincarnation) (Saif Ali Khan - Reincarnation)
Jeeo Shaan Se (Dharmendra - Triple role)
Judge Mujrim (Johnny Lever) (Sunil Shetty)
Judwaa (Salman Khan)
Vishwavidhaata (Sharad Kapoor)
1998:Aunty No. 1 (Raza Murad)
Achanak (Johny Lever - Triple Role)
Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (Amitabh Bachchan) (Govinda) (Kader Khan)
Duplicate (Shahrukh Khan)
Dushmun (Kajol)
Jaane Jigar (Mamta Kulkarni)
Jeans (Prashanth)
Hatyara (Mithun Chakraborty)
Kudrat (Akshay Khanna)
Qila (Dilip Kumar)
Soldier (Johnny Lever)
1999:Anari No.1 (Govinda)
Double Gadbad (Baba Sehgal)
Gair (Ajay Devgan)
Hindustan Ki Kasam (Ajay Devgan)
Lal Baadshah (Amitabh Bachchan)
Shera (Asrani)
Suryavansham (Amitabh Bachchan)
2000:Bulandi (Anil Kapoor)
Deewane (Ajay Devgan)
Hadh Kar Di Aapne (Govinda - Six Roles) (Johnny Lever)
Kaho Na Pyaar Hai (Hrithik Roshan)
Karobaar (Rishi Kapoor)
Khiladi 420 (Akshay Kumar)
2001:Abhay (Kamlahasan)
Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi (Kajol)
2002:Ab Ke Baras (Amrita Rao - Reincarnation) (Arya Babbar - Reincarnation)
Akhiyon Se Goli Maare (Kader Khan)
Chor Machaye Shor (Om Puri)
Gangobai (Prithvi)
Kitne Door... Kitne Paas (Satish Shah - Five Roles)
Waah! Tera Kya Kehna (Govinda)
2003:2004:Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (Rajpal Yadav)
2005:Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Sathiyo (Bobby Deol)
Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen (Govinda)
2006:Dhoom 2 (Bipasha Basu)
Don (Shahrukh Khan)
Krrish (Hrithik Roshan)
Sandwich (Govinda)
2007:Om Shanti Om (Deepika Padukone) (Shahrukh Khan - Reincarnation)
2008:Heroes (Salman Khan)
Mithya (Ranvir Shorey)
Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (Paresh Rawal - Triple Role)
Singh Is King (Javed Jaffery)
Super Star (Kunal Khemu)
2009:8x10 Tasveer (Akshay Kumar)
Chandni Chowk To China (Deepika Padukone)
List of Actors who have played Double/Multiple Roles atleast Two timesAmitabh Bachan (13):Bandhe Haath - 1973
Adalat - 1976
Don - 1978
Kasme Vaade - 1978
The Great Gambler - 1979
Desh Premee - 1982
Satte Pe Satta - 1982
Mahaan - 1983 [Triple role]
Aakhree Raasta - 1986
Toofan - 1989
Bade Miyan Chote Miyan - 1998
Lal Baadshah - 1999
Suryavansham - 1999
Rajesh Khanna (10):Raaz - 1967
Aradhana - 1969
Sachaa Jhuta - 1970
Humshakal - 1974
Maha Chor - 1976
Mehbooba - 1976 {Reincarnation}
Bhola Bhala - 1978
Kudrat - 1981 {Reincarnation}
Dharam Aur Kanoon - 1984
Hum Dono- 1985
Govinda (10):Jaan Se Pyaraa - 1992
Aankhen - 1993
Hathkadi - 1995
Chhote Sarkar - 1996 <---UNCORFIRMED
Bade Miyan Chote Miyan - 1998
Anari No.1 - 1999
Hadh Kar Di Aapne - 2000 [Six Roles]
Waah! Tera Kya Kehna - 2002
Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen - 2005 <---UNCORFIRMED
Sandwich - 2006 <---UNCORFIRMED
Dharmendra (9):Izzat - 1968
Yakeen - 1969
Samadhi - 1972
Gazab - 1982
Jeene Nahin Doonga - 1984
Jhutha Sach - 1984
Shehzaade - 1989
Paap Ki Aandhi - 1991
Jeeo Shaan Se - 1997 [Triple role]
Kader Khan (9):Ghar Sansar - 1986
Dariya Dil - 1988
Umar 55 Ki Dil Bachpan Ka - 1992
Aankhen - 1993
Main Khiladi Tu Anari - 1994
Pehla Pehla Pyar - 1994 [Five roles]
The Don - 1995 [Triple Role]
Bade Miyan Chotey Miyan - 1998
Akhiyon Se Goli Maare - 2002
Mithun Chakraborty (8):Aamne Samne - 1982
Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki - 1984
Rakta Bandhan - 1984
Param Dharam - 1987
Bees Saal Baad - 1988 {Reincarnation}
Jallaad - 1995
Rangbaaz - 1996 <--UNCONFIRMED
Hatyara - 1998
Dilip Kumar (6):Azaad - 1955 <---UNCORFIRMED
Madhumati - 1958 {Reincarnation}
Ram Aur Shyam - 1967
Dastaan - 1972
Bairaag - 1976 [Triple role]
Qila - 1998
Sanjeev Kumar (6):Naya Din Nayi Raat - 1974 [EIGHT Roles]
Vishwasghat - 1977
Tumhare Liye - 1978
Biwi O Biwi - 1981
Ladies Tailor - 1981
Angoor - 1982
Sridevi (6):Chaalbaaz - 1989
Banjaran - 1991 {Reincarnation}
Lamhe - 1991
Khuda Gawah - 1992
Gurudev - 1993
Guru - 1980 (Tamil/Telugu)
Hema Malini (5):Aansoo Aur Muskan - 1970
Seeta Aur Geeta - 1972
Mehbooba - 1976 {Reincarnation}
Bandish - 1980
Kudrat - 1981 {Reincarnation}
Rishi Kapoor (5):Rahi Badal Gaye - 1985
Janam Janam - 1988 {Reincarnation}
Banjaran - 1991 {Reincarnation}
Bol Radha Bol - 1992
Karobaar - 2000
Shahrukh Khan (5):Karan Arjun - 1995 {Reincarnation}
English Babu Desi Mem - 1996 [Triple role]
Duplicate - 1998
Don - 2006
Om Shanti Om - 2008 {Reincarnation}
Akshay Kumar (4):Jai Kishan - 1994
Aflatoon - 1997
Khiladi 420 - 2000
8x10 Tasveer - 2009
Anil Kapoor (4):Yudh - 1985
Ghar Ho To Aisa - 1990
Kishen Kanhaiya - 1990
Bulandi - 2000
Johnny Lever (4):Judge Mujrim - 1997
Achanak - 1998 [Triple Role]
Soldier - 1998
Hadh Kar Di Aapne - 2000
Mehmood (4):Main aur Mera Bhai - 1961
Humjoli - 1970 [Triple Role]
Do Phool - 1973
Pocket Maar - 1974
Salman Khan (4):Suryavanshi - 1992
Karan Arjun - 1995 {Reincarnation}
Judwaa - 1997
Heroes - 2008
Ajay Devgan (3):Gair - 1999
Hindustan Ki Kasam - 1999
Deewane - 2000
Asrani (3):Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar - 1973
Bidaai - 1974
Shera - 1999
Jackie Shroff (3):Allah Rakha - 1986
Dil Hi To Hai - 1992
Bandish - 1996
Jeetendra (3):Jaise Ko Taisa - 1973
Meri Aawaz Suno - 1981
Singhasan - 1986
Kajol (3):Hamesha - 1997 {Reincarnation}
Dushmun - 1998
Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi - 2001
Rajendra Kumar (3):Akeli Mat Jaiyo - 1963
Jhuk Gaya Aasman - 1968
Gora Aur Kala - 1972
Sadhana (3):Woh Kaun Thi - 1964
Mera Saya - 1966
Geeta Mera Naam - 1974
Deepika Padukone (2):Om Shanti Om - 2007
Chandni Chowk To China - 2009
Hrithik Roshan (2):Kaho Na Pyaar Hai - 2000
Krrish - 2006
Mala Sinha (2):Maryada - 1971
Do Ladkiyan - 1976
Nutan (2):Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya - 1966
Milan -1967 {Reincarnation}
Rajiv Kapoor (2):Aasmaan - 1984
Lover Boy - 1985
Rajnikanth (2):John Jani Janardhan - 1984
Gair Kaanooni - 1989
Reena Roy (2):Milap - 1972 {Reincarnation}
Ladies Tailor - 1981
Shammi Kapoor (2):China Town - 1962
Chhote Sarkar - 1974
Sharmila Tagore (2):An Evening In Paris - 1967
Mausam - 1975
Shatrughan Sinha (2):Milap - 1972 {Reincarnation}
Kalicharan - 1976
Sunil Dutt (2):Milan - 1967 {Reincarnation}
Laila - 1984
Sunil Shetty (2):Gopi Kishan - 1994
Judge Mujrim - 1997
Madhuri Dixit (1):PS:Only titles confirmed to be in this category have been included.
If you note any errors please PM me.
Thank you Sanjay for collecting the details.
Asrani had played triple role in movie Hum Nahin Sudhrenge. This movie was produced and directed by Asrani.