Director: Nikkhil Advani
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Saif Ali Khan. Ever since his rise to stardom during the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the finest actors in the Indian film industry. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, dangerous gangsters or sacred police inspectors, Khan has proven that he can portray compelling characters in Indian films. Arguably, Khan’s strength as an actor is his versatility. He is one of those rare actors that has proven he can portray a wide range of characters in various genres. Through his versatility, Khan has created timeless movies in his career which Indian audiences value. A bright light shining in darkness, he has become an icon in the Indian film business whose films have always given audiences the emotions of happiness. A legendary figure in India, Khan has become an icon in Bollywood Cinema. Throughout his long-lasting career, Khan has produced several unforgettable films that are worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and admire all the movies which he has created in his career. However, “Kal Ho Na Ho” definitely stands out as his most meaningful film. Released in 2003, Nikkhil Advani’s film offered a bold portrayal of tragic terminal illness. Packed with magnificent music numbers, extremely engrossing storytelling and amazing acting, it’s one of the most iconic Bollywood movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a terrific performance by Saif Ali Khan, who portrays a bachelor seeking to win over a woman’s love. Ultimately, the film delivers a strong message regarding terminal illness that would resonate with everyone. It’s a movie that emphasizes the sheer importance of embracing raxh day with a positive attitude. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles themes which everyone would relate to. A captivating Indian classic about terminal illness, there are many reasons why it’s a movie worth seeing.
Set in New York, “Kal Ho Naa Ho” tells the story of a terminally ill man which is driven to seize each day. Preity Zinta plays Naina Kapur, a driven MBA student struggling to find silver linings in her dark life. Adopting a negative life perspective, Naina struggles to find any happiness in her dark life. Even her best friend Rohit (Saif Ali Khan) fails to lift her spirit. However, Naina’s life drastically changes when she meets up Aman Mathur (Shah Rukh Khan). A joyful neighbour with a positive outlook, Aman seeks to change the way which Naina looks at the world by his optimism. Finding the silver linings in a dark life, Naina begins to find joyous feelings of happiness she hadn’t felt before. 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 a shocking secret about Aman threatens to destroy their bond forever.
Nikhil Advani is a newcomer towards stories of dysfunctional families. Before he directed “Kal Ho Na Ho”, Advani has never created an Indian movie before. It was the director’s attempts to capture the lives of terminally ill men facing barriers but he succeeds. Using strong cinematography, Advani captures an Indian woman embarking upon a journey to mend fractured relationships with her family. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes that is as stunning as New York’s skies. Advani deftly employs montages to capture the life of a woman whose outlook towards her life forever changes when she falls in love with a terminally ill man. For instance, montages elevate the Kuch to Hoa Hai musical scene. During this engaging scene, Naina faces a change in her attitudes adopting optimistic outlook after meeting Aman. One admires stunning montages capturing the lives of women adopting a positive life perspective. Montages are complicated techniques to use in most movies. As Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai” suggested clearly, montages enhance classic movies about friendships. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Advani captures tension that terminally ill men are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Kal Ho Na Ho” that is worth discussing is the set-design. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Advani successfully uses symbolism to capture strong bonds between Indian friends which spend time together. Throughout the movie, Rohit’s diary becomes a powerful symbol of his bond with Naina as a girl he values highly. For instance, the symbolism elevates the diary reading scene. During this powerful scene, Aman reads a diary entry showing his love for Naina. One adores symbolism showcasing strong bonds between lovers bonding together. Through this symbolism, Advani captures powerful bonds between Indian couples that seek to make dreams come true. Moreover, the music score is fantastic. Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s score is integral to success of the film. It gives the film a heartfelt atmosphere that captures the heavy burden terminally ill men bear. Through phenomenal production, Advani captures the lives of terminally ill patients that face destruction.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Kal Ho Na Ho” is a Bollywood classic that’s engaging. The film is beautifully written, and uses voice-over narration to capture lives of women that practice a positive perspective. Advani’s screenwriting strength is his ability to capture the hardship of women adopting positive perspectives on life through using voice-over narration. Throughout the movie, Naina tells her story about life through use of voice over narration. For instance, voice-over narration elevates the opening scene. During this joyous scene, Naina introduces viewers to her life in India using voice-over narration. One admires narration capturing the lives of women adopting a positive point of view on their life. Voice-over narration is a complex technique to utilize effectively in Bollywood films. When it’s used excessively, it can often come across as an unnecessary distraction. As Nitesh Tiwari’s “Dangal” did suggest clearly, narration enhances classic sports movies. Nevertheless, the narration works tremendously in this film. Through a phenomenal screenplay, Advani captures lives of terminally ill patients facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Saif Ali Khan delivers one of his best career performances as Rohit. Khan first achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Kal Ho Na Ho”, however, he took on his most emotional role. It isn’t easy to portray a man striving to assist a friend with terminal illness but Khan succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: funny, bold and vulnerable in his most meaningful role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and spirit of a bachelor in search for relationships. It’s an exceptional performance from one of the most beloved actors in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Khan, the supporting cast is outstanding and also worthy of appreciation. Shah Rukh Khan is spectacular, capturing an emotional nature of a terminally ill man whose love life is in danger. Preity Zinta is terrific, capturing the charisma of a woman facing a dilemma when she falls deep in love with a terminally ill man from India. Lastly, Jaya Bachchan is brilliant. As a matriarch, she is memorable.
Finally, “Kal Ho Na Ho” will earn recognition of everyone for capturing terminally ill lovers facing sorrow. Unlike most Bollywood films, the movie discusses bold themes everyone will easily relate to. The film discusses bold themes of identity, romance and class which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Kal Ho Na Ho” is one of those rare Bollywood films everyone will adore.
Fans of Saif Ali Khan would definitely enjoy “Kal Ho Na Ho” and so would audiences seeking heartfelt entertainment. A brilliant Bollywood classic, it honours an actor that 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 