One day while watching a film called Seeta Aur Geeta, he realises that two people can be at different places at the same time if they are twins.
It was one of the best known films with Sanjeev Kumar in a comedy role (others being Vidhaata, Seeta Aur Geeta, and Angoor).
He became the first director to cast a then-art film actor Naseeruddin Shah in a commercial Bollywood film, Jalwa (1987) (a remake of Beverly Hills Cop) and in his 1989 film, ChaalBaaz (a remake of Seeta Aur Geeta) got lead actress Sridevi, the Filmfare Best Actress Award.
Subsequent Hindi remakes of the story have been made, including Jaise Ko Taisa starring Jeetendra, Chaalbaaz starring Sridevi and Kishen Kanhaiya starring Anil Kapoor in the dual role.
She played dual roles in Iddaru Ammayilu (1972)Telugu Remake of 1969 release Kannada film Kappu Bilupu), Ganga Manga (1973 remake of the Hindi film Seeta Aur Geeta), Jeevana Jyothi (1975), and Chilipi Krishnudu (1978).
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She acted with Sivaji Ganesan in a number of films such as Uyarntha Manithan (1968), Nirai Kudam (1969), Vasantha Maligai (1972), Sivakamiyin Selvan (1974), Vani Rani (Tamil remake of the Hindi film Seeta Aur Geeta) (1974) and Nallathoru Kudumbam (1979).
Seeta Aur Geeta | Roti Kapda Aur Makaan | Love Sex aur Dhokha | Geeta Dutt | Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns | Purab Aur Paschim | Geeta | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Ek Main Aur Ek Tu | Ek Aur Ek Gyarah | Bunty Aur Babli | Bunty aur Babli | Seeta Indrani | Phool Aur Patthar | Pati Patni Aur Woh (TV series) | Pati Patni Aur Woh | ''Main Vich Main'', a painting based on Bulleh Shah's poem of the title; Geeta Vadhera | Geeta Vadhera | Geeta Rao Gupta | Geeta Kapur | Geeta Iyengar | Chhota Bheem Aur Krishna | Bron-Y-Aur Stomp | Aur Ek Prem Kahani | Aur Atoll | Aag Aur Toofan |