Writer/Director: Karan Johar
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few movie-stars in Bollywood have achieved the appreciation of Amitabh Bachchan. Ever since his rise to recognition during the 1970’s, Bachchan has become one of the best actors in the Indian film industry. Whether it’s wealthy fathers, gangsters or family members, he has portrayed several unforgettable characters. A living legend in India, Bachchan has become an icon in Bollywood Cinema. Known as Big B, Bachchan’s movies have built a lasting legacy in the Indian film industry, Bachchan’s strength as an actor is the larger-than-life presence he brings to each role. He has always showcased strong dedication being committed to playing each character in movies that are celebrated. Despite reaching the age of retirement, he has never lost his passion for creating engrossing entertainment. Throughout his long-lasting career, Bachchan has created several unforgettable movies that are definitely without doubt worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Amitabh Bachchan and love all the iconic movies he has made throughout his illustrious career. His Bollywood films have always been a precious part of my childhood. I grew up watching Bachchan’s movies with my grandfather that I treasure. We loved watching all his films together on a daily basis but our personal favourite was always “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”. Ever since its release in 2001, Karan Johar’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with memorable music, sharp storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a mesmerizing Indian masterpiece about families. At the centre of it all is an astonishing performance by Amitabh Bachchan, who embodies a strict father with strong values that seeks to raise a household. Ultimately, the film delivers a strong message about the importance of family which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles universal themes everyone would be able to relate to. A heartbreaking Indian masterpiece about the unbreakable bonds between families, there are several compelling reasons why it’s a classic film that’s definitely worth watching.
“Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” tells the story of an Indian family that develops a strong bond over time. Amitabh Bachchan portrays Yash Raichand, a strict Indian father which seeks to raise his family. Yash has strong beliefs about social class believing that his children should marry individuals from a high social standing. However, Yash’s dreams for his children are forever destroyed when his beloved son Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) falls in love with a woman from a lower social class. Facing a dilemma, Yash has no options but to disown his son following social class traditions of India. Several years later, Yash’s young son Rahul (Hrithik Roshan) embarks on a mission to reunite his family that has fallen apart. As Yash drifts apart from his sons, he questions whether he can any longer have possibilities of reuniting with his broken family.
Karan Johar is fascinated with stories of Indian families. Before he had directed “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Ghan”, Johar was a renowned Indian filmmaker known for his movies. His directorial debut “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” offered a glimpse at the relationships of teenagers falling in love at a college. With “Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham”, however, he made his first family drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of dysfunctional Indian families, but he succeeded tremendously. Through stunning cinematography, Johar captures the journey of an Indian family torn apart by social disparities. For instance, montages elevate the Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham music scene. During this unforgettable scene, Nandini and her family engage in a ceremony anticipating the arrival of her beloved son Rahul. Through ingenious musical montages, Johar captures the strong bond between a family reuniting in communion after several years of separation. Montages are tricky techniques to use in films. As Nikhil Advani’s “Kal Ho Naa Ho” suggested clearly, montages elevate Indian films about terminal illness. Nevertheless, it works extremely well. Through breathtaking visuals, Johar captures strong relationships between an Indian family bonding.
Another admirable aspect of “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” worth discussing is the production-design. Fro a technical point-of-view, the film is extremely well-made. Johar effectively stages musical sequences which capture bonds between lovers from different social classes. Arguably, the main highlight of the movie is the musical sequences. In Bollywood, most movies are driven melodramatic musical sequences without any meaning. However, “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” is an exception. Johar creates musical sequences using slow-motion to capture bonds between lovers sharing class disparities. For instance, the “Suraj Hua Magham” musical sequence is an example of this. During this unforgettable scene, Rahul and Anjali develop a powerful bond together falling in love despite social class disparities. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Jatin-Lalit’s musical score is integral to the movie’s success. It gives the film a warm atmosphere capturing the bonds between families carrying a heavy burden to bear. Through fantastic production-design, Johar conveys bonds between families that decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” is a captivating Indian classic that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture the bonds between Indian families falling apart. In Bollywood, most movies are often driven by melodrama and depend on dramatic situations to create tensions. Fortunately, however, “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” avoids these pitfalls. While the movie is dramatic, it’s melodrama works in favour of the story it’s telling. Johar expertly utilizes dramatic monologues to capture the relationships between Indian families falling apart. For instance, dramatic monologues enhance the ousting scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Yash throws his son Rahul out of their household after discovering he has fallen in love with a woman from a lower social class. Through strong dramatic monologues, Johar captures the hardships that commemorated Indian families torn apart by social class disparities go through. Dramatic monologues are tricky techniques to use in Bollywood films. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using a spectacular screenplay, Johar demonstrates impoverished Indian families that experience a painful price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Amitabh Bachchan delivers one of his greatest career performances as Yash. Bachchan first gained appreciation for playing angry heroes in iconic Bollywood movies. With “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”, however, he portrayed his most familial role. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a larger-than-life patriarch struggling to raise his family, but Bachchan succeeded tremendously. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and loving nature of a strict Indian father is determined to ensure that his children are destined to face a bright future. It’s a role that gave the legendary actor a chance to showcase his charisma as a celebrated icon of Bollywood Cinema. It’s a superb performance from one of the finest actors in India today.
Shah Rukh Khan is spectacular as an Indian man whose decision to marry a woman from a lower social standing tears apart his family. As Rahul, Khan steals every scene he’s in through his natural charisma. Khan is one of those actors that has always had a charming nature, and “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” showcased his strengths. Whether he’s joyfully flirting with a woman from lower socials standing or shedding tears after he’s thrown out of households by his father, Khan uses his charismatic nature to capture the life of a man torn apart from his family. It’s a fantastic performance from one of the most celebrated actors in Bollywood today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of appreciation. Kajol is spectacular, pouring her heart and soul into the role of a woman which makes providing for her family her main goal. Hrithik Roshan is remarkable, capturing the determination of a son seeking his family to have an emotional reunion after being torn apart by many years of separation. Lastly, Jaya Badhuri merits appreciation. As Nandini, she brings heartbreaking emotion to a mother.
Finally, “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing hardships faced by Indian families. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles universal themes everyone would be able to relate to. The film discusses relatable themes including family, marriage and social class which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to have Indian identities to appreciate the movie. It delivers a powerful message about the sheer importance of family that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” is one of those rare commemorated Bollywood movies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Amitabh Bachchan will definitely appreciate “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” and so will movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A captivating Indian classic, it celebrates the legacy of an iconic Bollywood actor whose movies captivate the general public.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about Indian families feeling a mixture of emotions torn apart by devastating social class disparities that are heartbreaking, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that has created a lasting legacy in Bollywood with an enduring appeal whose engaging movies that haven’t lost their abilities to captivate audiences are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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