Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...Movie

[K3G]

[Rakesh Budhu]

Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham

Producer: Yash Johar
Director: Karan Johar
Starring: Amitabh Bhachchan, Jaya Bhachchan, Abhishek Bhachchan
Music: Jatin Lalit
Lyrics:
Reviewed by: Rakesh Budhu

Karan Johar's mega-starrer, much awaited, costly project, Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham is beginning to leak through the grapevine. As the time gets closer to December 14, 2001, the scheduled release date, more and more information is arriving, more and more stars are joining the cast list and more and more anticipation is building up, and where better to hear it first than at Planet Bollywood?

Multi starrer films are becoming the thing for Bollywood, from the recent Love Ke Liye Kucch Bhi Karega to Ishq, one can easily get the feeling that directors are under the impression that stair pairs aren't enough drawing power. With Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham Karan Johar has achieved a feat director's are bent upon achieving, and labeling it a "multi-starrer" would truly be an understatement. Before getting into the family drama that the movie entails, here is the star cast.

Star Studded Affair

Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham features for the first time in almost twenty years, the effervescent pair Jaya and Amitabh Bhachchan. In addition to this, for the first time since Abhishek Bhachchan made his debut as an actor, the father-mother-son trio will be seen on screen together.

Producer Yash Johar stresses that though his segment has already been shot, the length of the segment maybe edited and his "special appearance" may be minimal. Such a minute detail may seem as a disappointment to few, but rest assured, the star cast alone makes up for it.

This is because KKKG features four other top-notch stars, a guest appearance by another and a special appearance by another top notch actor whose name Johar will not reveal. Hit pair Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol are featured in their first film together since they created magic in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. The rapport these two actors share can't be spoken enough of, and though Kajol has been written off by many critics, it is Karan and Aditya who managed to bring out the best in her and Shah Rukh. After three years, Kajol and Shah Rukh fans know they won't be dissappointed.

Another pair climbing up the charts is the current craze Hrithik Roshan and the other current craze Kareena Kapoor. Since their foray into acting both actors have developed auras of success, with confidence, ability, and well, good looks. Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham is only one of the many films this hit pair has coming up.

Finally, after Kajol and Shah Rukh how could Karan Johar leave out his other KKHH cast member, Rani Mukherji? After all success should be contributed to everyone, no? Unfortunately Rani is only guest appearing in the film, due to her own busy schedule. Better a guest appearance than none at all!

Melodies to Remember

Though the music duo, Jatin Lalit, have yet to give us a hit, we know they gave their best for KKHH.

In the paths of happiness and sadness...

With such big names, a talented music duo, "hype" can't describe the feeling KKKG is generating, but there is one question, the story. If there is one thing that Karan has proven, is that he can handle the story with the needed sensitivity and style. So what is the meat behind the family saga?

Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham revolves around family relationships, it is somewhat of an in depth look at the extremity a family's life can take. What roads one follows when they realized the roads they have passed and when new directions lead them to new destinations. It is more of a journey, a reflection without the overdosed comedy scenes and subplots or twists. The head of the family is Asha Sachdev, she lives in a sense of happiness with her son and family (Amitabh, Jaya, Hrithik and Shah Rukh). As with many two sibling families, Hrithik and Shah Rukh share a inimitable connection as brothers, with Hrithik idolizing Shah Rukh to his heart's content. There is no perfect family though, and they come to learn this when Shah Rukh's "identity" is revealed.

Shah Rukh was adopted by Hrithik's parents, and upon learning this, his happiness logically comes to a halt. Shah Rukh is more than disturbed by the information and leaves the family. His departure comes with a sense of darkness, as he holds no ties to the family that once took him in. The "khushi" the family once felt is now gone, and the journey through sadness makes your film. Kajol and Kareena are the lights that will light up the lives of these dismal protagonists including the brothers at war, and they won't stop until they achieve their goals. Happiness doesn't seem so far away now, does it!