The shortcomings are not because the script, largely written by Johar, relies on subtlety-in fact, at times it is so cumbersome that the audience wishes for the opportunity to read between the lines. Sadly, the film's treatment of this and the other relationships is as superficial as the glitz in every reel. The most unique and believable relationship in the film is the sweet and spunky friendship that develops between Dev's mother, Kamaljit (Kher), and Rishi's father, Sam/Samarjit (Bachchan Sr.).
Sadly, this movie does not deliver on Johar's loudly asserted promise.ĭespite the inordinately long time the film has to let the audience engage with the characters, they appear as little more than cardboard cut-outs throughout.ĭev, a disgruntled former soccer star, remains disgruntled, humourless, and unneccessarily mean to his son Arjun no real explanation is gleaned as to why Maya constantly feels inaduequate despite her husband's overt attempts at love Rhea's gung-ho 'all work no play' attitude is taken to extremes presenting her as a one-dimensional working mother and Rishi who is presented as 'child-like' throughout, really does nothing of the sort. Seems like an opportunity to delve into the darker side of cotton candy romance, doesn't it? Well it is. To make a much-in-need-of-editing film short, all four characters have certain issues that they can not solve within their respective marriages, leading Dev and Maya to seek solace and comfort in each other.
The story centres around the tumultuous relationships of two not-so-happily married couples, Dev Saran (Khan) and his wife Rhea (note the Americanised spelling here) (Zinta), and Rishi (Bachchan Jr.) and Maya Talwar (Mukherji). Resorting to cliched 'spot the star' cheap thrills, Kajol and John Abraham make brief appearances in two all-thumpy no funky songs. Relying heavily on his almos t incestuous connections with Bollywood luvvies, Johar unsurprisingly reeled in an all-star cast with Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukherji, Abhishek Bahchan, and Preity Zinta as the leads, and Amitabh Bachchan, Kirron (that's how she's spelling it thes e days) Kher, and Arjun Rampal as the supporting cast. Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (dubbed KANK by filmi acronym enthusiasts), does nothing but confirm suspicions that Johar fancies himself a Robert Altman but blatanlty lacks the talent or originality of the senior director. That Karan Johar gives his audience little credit comes shining through in this nearly 4-hour celluloid magnum disappointus. A previously unpublished post from 2006, read it with 'retrospect' in mind.* *Cautionary note: This was the film that put me over the edge and prompted me to stop blogging about Hindi films for so long.