Director: Nikkhil Advani
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses in India are as beloved as Preity Zinta. Ever since her rise towards recognition in the 1990’s, Zinta has become a beloved icon in Bollywood. Whether it is passionate lovers, historical figures or the lovers of soldiers, Zinta has played several strong characters. Arguably, Zinta’s finest strength as an actress has always been her strong dramatic range. She is one of those rare actresses that has always had a talent for portraying characters in various genres. Through her abilities to portray characters audiences can relate to, Zinta has become a beloved actress with value. Throughout a powerful career, Zinta has made many bold movies which are undeniably worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Zinta and adore all movies she has made in her career. However, “Kal Ho Naa Ho” definitely stands out as being her most meaningful film. Released in 2003, Nikkhil Advani’s movie offered a compelling portrait of terminal illness. Packed with bold music sequences, engaging storytelling and amazing acting, it’s an extraordinary Indian masterpiece about illness. At the centre of it all is a terrific performance by Preity Zinta, who portrays a woman that faces terminal illness trauma. Ultimately, the film delivers a strong message regarding terminal illness that would resonate with everyone. It’s a movie that emphasizes the importance of embracing each day with a positive attitude. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles powerful themes which everyone would relate to. A captivating Indian classic about terminal illness, there are several strong 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.
Preity Zinta delivers one of her best career performances as Naina. Zinta first achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroines in classic Bollywood movies. With “Kal Ho Naa Ho”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray a woman struggling to confront a terminal illness but she succeeds. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: bold, emotional and vulnerable in her most iconic role. With riveting expressions, she captures the angst, frustration and grief of a woman struggling to cope with family dysfunction. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actresses in India today.
The supporting cast is spectacular and also worthy of appreciation. Shah Rukh Khan is terrific, capturing charisma of a terminally ill man struggling to conceal his condition that causes a dilemma . Saif Ali Khan is brilliant, 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 Na Ho” will earn praise of everyone for capturing terminally ill lovers facing sorrow. Unlike most Bollywood movies, the movie tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. The film discusses strong themes of identity, romance and class which will resonate with everyone.
Fans of Preity Zinta will absolutely enjoy “Kal Ho Naa Ho” and so would audiences seeking heartfelt entertainment. A riveting Bollywood classic, it honours an actress that’s iconic.
Nearly 25 years following the release of an iconic Bollywood movie about a terminally ill man struggling to cope with a condition that is tragic, it’s a fantastic reminder about an iconic Indian actress that has made terrific movies throughout her career which haven’t ever lost their abilities to endlessly captivate the public.
5/5 stars
