Ode to a friend. Review on Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

Around three decades ago, filmmaker Yash and wife Pam Chopra gave birth to prodigal Aditya. Around the same time (maybe a little later), another filmmaker, producer Yash and better-half Hiroo Johar came up with their own little masterpiece, son Karan.

Aditya and Karan, while growing up, became great friends, and sang the song Yeh dosti hum nahin todenge, never mind that it (the song) did not belong to any film produced and directed by either of the Yashes.

Years later, Aditya grew up to direct Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (DDLJ), which went on to break many box office records. Dost Karan was a mere assistant at that time, but Aditya spotted talent in him and urged him to take charge of an independent project. The result was Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (KKHH), another record breaker of sorts. Now, it was time for round two for these 'thick-as-thieves' friends. Soon, Aditya came up with his ode to love, Mohabbatein. The film, though snubbed by critics, did more than decent business at the box office. Thereafter, Karan picked up the baton once again and decided to tell the world how much he loved his parents. The result was Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, (K3G) with an all-time casting coup of Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan (seen together after Silsila), Shahrukh Khan and Kajol (seen together, probably for the last time), and Hritik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor (seen together after the demented Yaadein). The film was meant to 'educate' us on how to love our parents. It did just that, through clichés and glycerin. It also taught us how to glorify your best friend, and even yourself, in the process. With a staggering star cast, one had hoped that Karan would come up with a path-breaking film. But, isn't life full of and ifs buts? What we get is a mish-mash of KKHH and Mohabbatein. The director, through well-crafted scenes, pats himself on the back for making KKHH and salutes his friend for coming with a 'masterpiece' like Mohabbatein. The climax has a major Mohabbatein hangover; in fact, the Amitabh-Shahrukh reconciliation scene is the Mohabbatein climax revisited. Shahrukh is Rahul while Kajol is Anjali all over again, taking us back to KKHH. The presence of Rani Mukherjee reinforces the KKHH love-triangle. All said and done, K3G has some superlative moments, thanks mainly to the finely honed acting skills of the cast. Three come to mind right away. Shahrukh saying goodbye to his brother, the Shahrukh and Hritik reunion scene, and the scene where Shahrukh meets his mother after 10 years do bring a lump in the throat. Besides, Amitabh's shava-shava number is truly scintillating. Of the cast, Amitabh is just awe-inspiring though his characterization as the rigid patriarch is fairly reminiscent of the roles he did in Mohabbatein and Ek Rishta; Shahrukh is almost brilliant; Jaya is competent, though a little disappointing at times; Kajol is loud yet great at the same time; Hritik is pretty cool; while Kareena, despite what people may have to say of her, is just right for the part. However, the music is mediocre and again relies heavily on Mohabbatein and other films of the Yash Chopra camp for inspiration. One final point. The costumes and sets seem to be borrowed from Ekta Kapoor; remember Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, and others of its ilk?

Yet, at the end of three hours and forty minutes you do feel like lauding Karan Johar for his affection and loyalty towards his friend Aditya Chopra. K3G could be (aptly) retitled, Kabhi Dost Kabhi Main (KDKM).