Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna: Rahat Raihan's review
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)
Director: Karan Johar
Cast:
Shah Rukh Khan
Rani Mukherji
Preety Zinta
Abhishekh Bachan
Amitabh Bachan
Kirron Kher
Movie review by
Rahat Raihan:
Rating: 4.25/5
In the last couple of years, Karan was seen doing so many things. Like producing films (KAL HO NAA HO, KAAL), costume designing (MAIN HOON NAA, VEER-ZAARA), anchoring (KOFEE WITH KARAN) & even acting (HOME DELIVERY)!
But the man has been completely missed in the position where he is mostly wanted, as a director. But the wait is over. The brilliant storyteller is all set to show his charishma again. After putting films like KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI & KABHI KHUSHI KABHI GHAM in his bag, can Karan get it right again with KABHI ALVIDA NA KEHNA?
With KANK, Mr.Johar has fully changed his way of choosing film's theme. This time friendship is not love (Pyaar Dosti Hai:KKHH) like his previous flicks. This time, friendship is only a obstacle in the way of love (Kabhi Kabhi Dosti Mohabbat Ka Zaiga Le Lete Hain, Phir Mohabbat Ke Liye Zaigai Nahi Rehte). This time, the story doesn't revolve around the pre-marriage relationship which we generally title as "love", rather here Karan takes a bold look on the post-marriage relationships.
KANK is mainly a story of two families. The Sarans & the Talwars.
Dev Saran (Shah Rukh Khan) is a successful soccer player. He lives with his wife Rhea Saran (Preety Zinta) & son Arjun. Rhea is a very strong woman and has sky limit expectations from life. Though these twos have different personality, different nature and different expectations, they live happily with each other until the fortune removes its good look from them. Dev meets a serious accident and becomes handicapped. Rhea takes the responsibility of the family. Having no work in hand, Dev turns into a fully negative minded person who doesn't get any pleasure from any thing in the whole world. His wife's success continues hurting his ego. He begins to dislike everything associated to his wife.
On the other hand, Maya Talwar (Rani Mukherji) is a very sensitive girl who has been married off to Rishi Talwar (Abhishekh Bachan). This couple share a different relationship. While Rishi loves Maya hugely, Maya doesn't love him. She cares about him.
But thats not what we call "love". She takes their relationship as a condition which she must carry on. One day, Maya understands that their relationship is already on a high & if she doesn't do anything, it'll be broken. She asks help from Dev who is also sitting on the same boat. But by twist of fate, Dev & Maya fall in love with each other while trying to save their relationships. But can this relationship reach any goal? Can they get each other?
The story & screenplay of the film penned by Karan & Shibhani is flawless (an exceptional as well). But this kind of story (related to relationship) does need a proper & sensitive handling. And who other than Karan Johar can do it better? The supremely skilled & talented director is in superb form once again. From the execution point of view, the film can even be compared with the bests from Hollywood. The film has a long running period of about 3.06 hours, but there were hardly some scenes which you can say should be cut off (Some of the "Naughty Sam" (Amitabh Bachan) sequences. The song "Where's The Party Tonight" could be deleted as well).
Dialogues are excellent, so as the cinematography.
Shankar-Ehsan-Loy's music rock again.
"Mitwa" & "Rock N Roll Soniye" are among the bests of the year. The title track is also superb. "Tumhi Dekho Naa" gives a soft hearing. The choreography by Farah Khan is simply brilliant. The ace choreographer has once again proved that she knows her job very well. "Rock N Roll" is very well choreographed. "Mitwa" & "Tumhi Dekho Naa" song sequences are brilliantly canned . The beautiful chemistry between SRK-Rani has taken these two songs to a new level. The interior design gives the film a new flavour.
Shah Rukh Khan has completely surrendered himself to the complex character of Dev Saran. He is the soul of the film from the first to last. It's no doubt, one of his most natural acts till now. He towers over everyone with his outstanding performance.
Rani Mukherji has already proved her power as an actress in films like Black & Paheli. With KANK, she takes it to a new level. She is excellent in a role of a sensitive lady, Maya.
Check out her very first scene when she speaks with Dev sitting on a bench or her conversations with her husband. She is flawless.
Abhishekh Bachan has proved that he is improving. He even shows shades of his father in the serious scenes. But he lacks of confidence in the light scenes.
Preety Zinta, in a role of an ambitious fashion designer is just about okay, not very good. Amitabh Bachan excels in the light sequences in the first hour. But his serious scenes don't leave an impact. Check out the scene of two family's dinner. SRK steals the show, not he. But he is simply superb in the death scene. Some overact, but at the end of the day, a winner.
Kirron Kher is excellent in both serious & light scenes. The ace actress looked gorgeous throughout the whole film. Check out the sequence when she asked Preety if she could live with her leaving her son. It's very well canned.
Arjun Rampal (sp. app.) leaves an impact in his short role. Kajol (sp. app.) adds glamour to the film.
But John Abraham (sp. app.) has been completely wasted. He was just not needed.
On the whole, Karan Johar is once again a winner. His flawless & convincing storytelling takes the film to an unreached level.
From the business point of view, no need to say anything. When names like Amitabh Bachan, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukherji, Preety Zinta, Abhishekh Bachan, Arjun Rampal, Kirron Kher, Kajol & of course Karan Johar are associated to a film, the film is sure to raise storm at box office.
Bumper hit!
