Director: Nikkhil Advani
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved today as Shah Rukh Khan. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Shah Rukh Khan has become one of the greatest movie-stars in the Indian film industry. Whether it’s psychopathic gangsters, star-crossed lovers or larger-than-life engineers, Khan has depicted many strong characters. Khan’s finest strength as an actor is his ability to portray strong characters by his charisma. He’s one of those rare actors from India whose mere name is enough to attract audiences to the theatre. A charismatic legend in India, Khan has stood the test of time as an icon of Cinema. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Khan has never lost his abilities to make engrossing entertainment. Through a charismatic nature, Khan has become an actor that has created a legacy which is iconic. Throughout his commemorated career, Khan has created several unforgettable movies which are definitely worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all the films he has made throughout his career. However, “Kal Ho Naa Ho” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2003, Nikhil Advani’s movie has stood the test of time as an Indian classic. Packed with strong production, sharp storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the greatest Bollywood movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance from Shah Rukh Khan, who embodies a terminally ill man with a desire to embrace every day. Ultimately, the film delivers a strong message regarding terminal illness which would definitely resonate with everyone. It’s a movie that emphasizes the importance of embracing every day with a positive attitude. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles powerful themes everyone would relate to. A captivating Indian classic about terminal illness, there are several strong reasons why it’s a commemorated movie that’s definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
Set in New York, “Kal Ho Naa Ho” tells a story of a terminally ill man which is determined to change the lives of people in a huge way. Preity Zinta embodies Naina Kapur, an uptight MBA student that struggles to find silver linings in her dark life. Adopting a negative life perspective, Naina struggles to find any happiness in her dark life. Facing the consequences of a dysfunctional family, Naina struggles to find any good reason to be happy. However, Naina’s life drastically changes when eh meets Aman Mathur (Shah Rukh Khan). A neighbour with a positive outlook, Aman seeks to change the way Naina looks at the world through his optimism. Finding the silver linings in a dark life, Naina begins to find feelings of happiness. As Naina forms a strong bond with Aman, she begins to take a liking to her neighbour. Naina’s life seems to be perfect until she discovers a shocking secret about Aman that threatens to forever destroy their relationship.
Nikhil Advani is a newcomer towards stories of dysfunctional families. Before he directed “Kal Ho Naa Ho”, Advani has never created an Indian movie before. It was the director’s attempts to capture the lives of terminally ill men enduring barriers but he succeeded tremendously. Using spellbinding cinematography, Advani captures an Indian woman embarking on a journey to mend fractured relationships with her family. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes as stunning as New York’s skies. Advani deftly employs montages to capture a woman whose outlook on life forever changes when she falls in love with a terminally ill man. For instance, the montages elevate the Kuch to Hoa Hai musical montage scene. During this unforgettable scene, Naina experiences a change in her attitude adapting a positive life outlook after meeting Aman. One admires montages capturing lives of women adopting a positive life perspective. Montages are complicated techniques to use in movies. As Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai” suggested clearly, montages elevate movies about friendships. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Advani captures the hardships that commemorated Indian women are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Kal Ho Naa Ho” worth discussing is the production-design. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well-made. Advani successfully uses symbolism to capture strong bonds between Indian friends spending time together. Throughout the movie, Rohit’s diary becomes a strong symbol of his bond with Naina as a girl which he values highly. For instance, the symbolism elevates the diary reading scene. During this powerful scene, Aman reads a diary entry expressing his love for Naina. One admires symbolism of the diary showcasing strong bonds between lovers bonding together. Through this larger-than-life symbolism, Advani captures powerful bonds between Indian couples seeking to make dreams come true. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s music is integral towards the film’s success. It gives the movie a heartwarming atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which terminally ill men bear. Through powerful production, Advani captures terminally ill men experiencing destruction.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “Kal Ho Naa Ho” is an Indian classic which is engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses voice-over narration to capture the lives of women which adopt a positive perspective. Advani’s screenwriting strength is his ability to capture the lives of women adopting a positive perspective on life through voice-over narration. Throughout the film, Naina recounts her life story through meaningful voice-over narration. For instance, narration elevates the opening scene. During this memorable scene, Naina introduces viewers towards her life in New York through voice-over narration. One admires narration capturing the lives of women adopting a positive point of view on life. Voice-over narration is a tricky technique to use effectively in Bollywood films. When it’s used excessively, it can often come across as an unnecessary distraction. As Nitesh Tiwari’s “Dangal” suggested clearly, narration elevates sports films. Nevertheless, the narration works immensely in this film. Through a spectacular screenplay, Advani captures lives of terminally ill patients facing a price to pay.
One admires astonishing performances.
Shah Rukh Khan delivers one of his greatest career performances as Aman. Khan gained recognition for playing star-crossed lovers in romantic films. With “Kal Ho Naa Ho”, however, he took on his most emotional career role. It isn’t simply to capture the hardships faced by a terminally ill man but he succeeded immensely. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and heartache of a man which suffers from a severe terminal illness. It’s a role that gave Khan an opportunity to showcase his charisma as a movie-star which has always stunned audiences in India. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the best actors working in Bollywood today.
The supporting cast is sensational and also worthy of appreciation. Preity Zinta is terrific, capturing the charisma of a woman facing a dilemma when she falls madly in love with a terminally ill man from India. Saif Ali Khan is spectacular, capturing the bright personality of a man which falls in love with a girl which he plans to marry. Lastly, Jaya Badhuri deserves appreciation. As the joyous matriarch of the Kapur family, she brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “Kal Ho Naa Ho” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing terminally ill lovers facing sorrow. Unlike most Bollywood movies, the movie tackles universal themes everyone will relate to. The film discusses strong themes of identity, romance and class which will resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be Indian to identify with the characters in the movie. The film delivers a compassionate message about terminal illness which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Kal Ho Naa Ho” is one of those rare Bollywood movies which will definitely strike a chord without a doubt with everyone.
Fans of Shah Rukh Khan will definitely appreciate “Kal Ho Naa Ho” and so will movie-goers seeking heartwarming entertainment. A captivating Indian classic, it celebrates a Bollywood superstar that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking Indian film about terminally ill dying men adopting a positive point-of-view on life that’s inspiring, it’s a riveting reminder about a legendary Bollywood actor that has built a long-lasting legacy in the Indian film industry by portraying compelling characters with larger-than-life personality whose memorable movies that have stood the test of time as classics are definitely without a doubt celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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