Thoughts on Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna

Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna

My husband, my cousin and I watched Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna last night. Given that we tried to watch it on friday night, stood in line 2 hours only to be turned away to a "House Full" sign, and then yesterday it took us again an hours to get in even though we had online tickets, I am compelled to share some thoughts with the world....

Given Karan Johar's past successes, it was a sure thing that at least 50 million people would have watched KANK. KJ could have played it safe, given his fans exactly what they wanted (a lot of sap, and a bright and happy ending) and not taken any major risks. Yet, he has chosen to be a little different. He has focussed on what happens AFTER the happy ending of a normal bollywood movie. This movie pushes the boundaries of hindi cinema a few ways in particular:

(1) In most hindi movies, divorces occur under rather extreme circumstances. In this movie divorce occurs because of "normal" issues that most people do face in marriages. So rather than depicting a bad marriage as the fault of one person (thats the usual formula in a hindi movie), he shows that a combination of weaknesses and circumstances---that are not all that bad when they are considered individually---are to blame. Indian cinema is maturing a little, it seems.

(2) The usual "NRI candy" is missing. What I mean by this is that given that the Indian audience abroad is conservative, and adores the depictions of Indian traditions in an overseas setting (because it largely makes them feel like they are still connected to their culture), and specially laps up stuff on the "longing to return to India" it is interesting that Karan Johar chose not to get into any of this. Specially considering that this is what has made him so successful in the first place! New York is merely a backdrop for this movie. The characters were not depicted as homesick, traditional or non-traditional. They were real people--not merely indians abroad who are trying to be connected to the motherland. It would have been easy for KJ to give the NRIs the candy they crave, but he chose not to and I think thats interesting.

(3) On a related note, for the overseas audience, Hindi movies are a major tool for educating their children about INdian culture. Hence the success of Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kal Ho Na Ho, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, etc. To supply this audience with a movie that they probably should NOT take their kids to, and which they can not really use to feel culturally connected to India, is I think a great risk. A lot of people will probably be offended by this movie. I think its great that Karan Johar is willing to go down that road.

(4) Shah Rukh Khan was brave to play the role of a kind of underdog in this movie. He doesn't dance, he doesn't really do any of the sparkling and glamourous Shah Rukh Khan "stuff" in this movie. He limps, he is unhappy, he is not the one who brings glamour to the movie. This is an interesting shift. One that made me a little sad, but it was good to see him mature as an actor and not take candied roles.

All in all, I admire KJ for pushing the boundaries of what Indian people expect of movies. Last, but not least, the movie was visuall pretty. Rani's eye-makeup was awesome, and Amitabh, Abhishek, Preity, were all great! Of course, it is FAR too long, but I didn't mind. I loved the visuals enough that I didn't mind the length, the close-ups, the tears, etc.