Kishen Kanhaiya

Kishen Kanhaiya

Year: 1990

Runtime: 160 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Rakesh Roshan

FamilyDrama

Leela and Bholaram live. Leela works as a midwife. She assists Sunderdas’ wife in delivering twins; the mother dies. Leela keeps one baby, raising him as Kanhaiya, and tells Sunderdas his wife had one son, Kishen. Sunderdas, unable to raise Kishen, remarries Kamini, who brings son Ramesh. Learning Ramesh’s parentage, he is attacked and left paralyzed.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Kishen Kanhaiya (1990)

Trace every key event in Kishen Kanhaiya (1990) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Birth of the twins and initial separation

Leela assists during the birth of twin boys for Sunder Das's wife. She realizes the father cannot care for both children and secretly keeps one baby for herself, naming him Kanhaiya. The other twin, Kishen, remains with Sunder's family.

at birth Sunder Das's house
2

Widowhood and birth news

Shortly after the birth, Sunder's wife dies in labor, leaving him a widower with the newborn twins. The tragedy compounds the sense of responsibility he faces for the children's future.

shortly after birth Sunder's home
3

Sunder marries Kamini to help raise Kishen

To help raise Kishen, Sunder decides to marry Kamini and brings her into the household. He hopes the blended arrangement will provide stability and care for the child. Kamini's willingness to help becomes a turning point in Kishen's fragile future.

shortly after Sunder's home
4

Gendamal arrives with Mahesh

Kamini's brother Gendamal arrives and brings along his own child Mahesh to live with them in Kamini's home. His presence introduces new tension and a desire for control within the family. Kishen finds himself caught in the shifting power dynamics.

soon after Kamini's home
5

Sunder suffers a heart attack and is paralyzed

During the mounting tensions, Sunder suffers a heart attack and is overwhelmed by stress. Taking advantage of the moment, Gendamal orchestrates an 'accident' that leaves Sunder paralyzed and largely mute. The household's power structure tightens around Kishen.

during confrontation Sunder's home
6

Kishen grows up under abuse

Kishen is raised by Kamini and Gendamal under constant abuse and intimidation. To keep him subservient and under their control, he is deliberately kept uneducated. This harsh upbringing shapes his compassionate, resilient character.

childhood/early years Kamini's home
7

Kanhaiya grows up separately

Separately, Leela and Bholaram raise Kanhaiya in a different region with meager means. Despite hardship, he becomes street-smart and loves cinema. The twin bond between Kishen and Kanhaiya remains an unseen thread guiding their fates.

childhood a distant region
8

Kanhaiya meets Anju

Kanhaiya meets Anju, a girl who loves movies and enjoys a pampered life. They share a connection through cinema and optimism. Their relationship stands in contrast to the hardship Kishen endures.

teen/young adult local area
9

Kishen and Radha fall in love

Kishen's only friends are Radha, a maid, and her sister. He and Radha fall in love and marry, despite the ongoing abuse from Kamini and Gendamal. Their union represents a fragile hope for a kinder life ahead.

late Kamini's home area
10

Gendamal plots to kill Kishen

Gendamal schemes to eliminate Kishen by convincing Mahesh to push him off a cliff after the property is signed over. The plan succeeds in making everyone believe Kishen is dead. The family is left reeling as the truth lurks in the shadows.

post-marriage cliff area
11

Kishen survives with amnesia

Kishen survives the attempt but is left with amnesia. Anju, wandering the streets, finds him and mistakes him for Kanhaiya, trying to help him recover his memory. The mistaken identity heightens the emotional stakes for all involved.

after attack streets
12

Radha finds Kishen at the temple

Radha visits a temple to pray for her husband and ends up encountering Kishen (with Anju) there. The moment deepens the mystery of Kishen's true identity. The temple becomes a turning point in the entwined fates of the families.

later temple
13

Kishen and Kanhaiya meet and unite

Kishen and Kanhaiya finally come face to face and decide to stand together to fight the evil. They aim to reclaim their family and restore what was stolen from them. The reunion marks the beginning of a shared resistance.

climax ancestral mansion/temple
14

Radha learns Kanhaiya is not Kishen

Radha discovers that Kanhaiya is not her husband Kishen and mourns for Kishen's fate. The realization compounds the emotional stakes for the couple and the surviving family members. The moment underscores the enduring cost of their long separation.

climax temple
15

Ending: family restored

With the twins united, the family begins to reclaim their lives from the schemes that kept them apart. The support of Anju and Radha helps shape a hopeful future. The story closes on a note of resilience, reunion, and renewed family bonds.

final temple/ancestral mansion

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:06

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Kishen Kanhaiya

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