Writer/Director: Karan Johar
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actresses in Bollywood pour their soul into movies like Kajol. Ever since her stardom in the 1990’s, Kajol has proven to be one of the best actresses in the Indian film industry. Whether it’s college students, lower class housekeepers or blind lovers, Kajol has depicted many strong characters. Arguably, Kajol’s greatest strength as an actress is her abilities to create powerful feminist characters through her larger than life presence. An actress that has built a powerful legacy in India, Kajol has become an inspiring icon in Bollywood Cinema. Through her ability to pour her heart and soul into every role, Kajol has become an iconic actress whose films give audiences a goal. She has always been one of those rare actresses which has the abilities to portray characters in a wide range of genres. Despite reaching the age of retirement, Kajol has scarcely lost her interest making engaging entertainment. Throughout her long-lasting career, Kajol has made many movies that are definitely worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Kajol and adore all the films she has made throughout her career. I grew up watching the timeless movies produced by the Bollywood actress which represented a pivotal part of my childhood. I grew up to treasure the films made by the actress which I used to see with my grandfather. We adored all of Kajol’s movies but our personal favourite was always “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”. Ever since its release in 1998, Karan Johar’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with awe-inspiring production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best Indian movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Kajol, who plays a woman seeking to reunite with her childhood sweetheart. Ultimately, the movie delivers an inspiring message which would resonate with everyone that has developed a strong bond with a childhood sweetheart at an early age. Unlike most Bollywood movies made during the 1990’s, the film has aged beautifully with themes which still remain relevant today. An inspiring Indian masterpiece about childhood crushes, there are several strong reasons why it’s a film worth seeing.
“Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” tells the story about a love triangle between three college students that form strong relationships. Kajol portrays Anjali, a socially awakened college student that struggles to fit in her school. Kajol has always had a strong friendship with Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan). Rahul is a popular boy in school that has always regarded Anjali as nothing more than a friend. However, Anjali’s life forever changes when she begins to fall in love with Rahul. Anjali is disappointed when she learns Rahul fancies Tina (Rani Mukerji), another attractive girl in school. Torn apart by circumstances beyond their control, Rahul and Anjali are forced to suddenly part ways. Many years later when they have become grown up adults, Rahul’s daughter seeks to reunite her father with his best friend. As Rahul reunites with Anjali after several years of separations, he questions whether he has any longer has any feelings for a girl he only considered as a companion.
Karan Johar is a newcomer to the stories of childhood lovers. Before he had made “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”, Johar had never directed an Indian movie about college students before. The film marked his directorial debut and first forays into Bollywood. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture childhood lovers, but he succeeded. For a first-time filmmaker from India, Johar showcased extraordinary control behind the camera. Using strong cinematography, Johar captures the journey of childhood lovers seeking prosperity. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes as stunning as relationships that childhood lovers materialize. Johar effectively uses montages to capture the bonds between teen lovers that bond in college. For instance, montages enhance the college sports scene. During this unforgettable scene, Rahul bonds with Anjali by playing the game of basketball together. Through ingenious montages, Johar captures the bonds between childhood lovers seeking to make their huge dreams come true. Montages are complicated techniques to use in Bollywood movies. Most Bollywood movies always use montages merely as a distraction from storytelling. As Nikhil Advani’s “Kal Ho Naa Ho” suggested, montages elevate Indian movies about terminal illness. Nevertheless, it works extremely. Through spellbinding visuals, Johar captures the bonds between childhood lovers interacting.
Another admirable aspect of “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” worth discussing is the production design. From a technical point of view, the movie is so well-made that it’s hard to believe that it’s only a directorial debut. Johar successfully staged musical sequences showing tensions between childhood lovers. For a first-time director that had never made an Indian movie in his career before, Johar showcased impressive control over musical numbers. Johar effectively uses handheld cameras to stage musical numbers showcasing tension between childhood lovers. For instance, the handheld camera enhances the Koi Mil Gaga musical sequence. During this memorable musical number, Rahul, Anjali and Tina find themselves dancing together in their school’s musical competition. One appreciates handheld choreography capturing the tensions among a pair of childhood lovers. Furthermore, the musical score is extraordinary. Jatin-Lalit’s music is integral to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a joyful atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which childhood lovers bear. Through exceptional production-design, Johar captures the bonds between childhood lovers that shine.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” is an Indian classic which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses non-linear storytelling to capture the relationships between childhood lovers over time. The film seamlessly switches back and forth between the past flashbacks of Rahul’s college days and his present-day life as an adult. Through this unique non-linear storytelling structure, Johar creates a strong character audiences can easily relate to. For instance, non-linear storytelling enhances the college flashback scene. During this heartfelt scene, Rahul’s daughter Anjali learns about her father’s college days through reading her mother’s letter. One acknowledges non-linear storytelling capturing bonds between a pair of childhood lovers interacting. Non-linear story is a tricky technique to use in Bollywood films. Most Indian movies follow a straightforward linear structure which audiences could easily follow. As “My Name is Khan” suggested, non-linear storytelling elevates serious films about terrorism. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Johar captures hardships of childhood lovers forming relationships which come with a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Kajol delivers one of her best performances as Anjali. Kajol achieved appreciation for playing star-crossed lovers in romantic dramas. With “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”, however, she portrayed her most iconic role. It isn’t simple to capture a personality of a college girl which falls in love with her best friend, but Kajol succeeds deftly. With mesmerizing expressions, Kajol captures the angst, desperation and rebellious nature of a college girl that struggles to express feelings for her best friend. It’s a charismatic role which gave the actress the opportunity to showcase her irresistible charisma as an icon in Bollywood Cinema. It’s an extraordinary performance from one of the most commemorated actresses working in Bollywood today.
Shah Rukh Khan is spectacular as a popular college student with the aptitude for wooing over girls. Khan is one of those actors which has always had a charismatic presence, and “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” showcased his strength as an actor. Khan effectively uses charisma to capture a college student’s bond with his best friend in school. Whether he’s spending time playing basketball with Anjali or expressing his feelings for Tina, Khan effectively uses commemorated body language to capture a charismatic man that’s madly in love. It’s a role that marked a turning point in the actor’s career by turning him into a romantic heartthrob. It’s a stellar performance from one of the greatest actors working in the Indian film industry today.
Lastly, Rani Mukerji merits appreciation. As a college student which falls madly in love, she brings charisma to the movie. Despite limited screen time, Mukerji shines in every scene. It’s a larger-than-life role that launched the career of one of the most underrated actresses working in Bollywood in the modern age.
Finally, “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” will earn attention of everyone for capturing strong bonds among childhood lovers today. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles universal themes everyone will relate to. The film discusses universal themes of identity, childhood lovers and social class which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be Indian to identify with themes of the movie. It delivers a powerful message that would resonate with everyone that has formed strong bonds with childhood lovers at an early age. As someone treasuring fond memories of a childhood crush, I related to the movie’s message deeply. Therefore, “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” is one of those rare Bollywood movies that everyone will adore.
Fans of Kajol will definitely appreciate “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” and so will movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A captivating Indian classic, it celebrates a fantastic actress that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood film about childhood lovers torn apart by circumstances of fate forming a relationship that’s long-lasting, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that hasn’t lost her abilities to make engaging movies that has built an enduring legacy by portraying compelling characters whose memorable movies are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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