'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' marks the debut of 26 year old Karan Johar who wealds the megaphone for the first time - and frankly makes a very good job of it. Admittedly the film has shades of 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge', 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun', 'Dil To Pagal Hai', 'Sleepless in Seattle' and even the popular comic strip - 'Archie' but with due credit Karan manages to make this film watchable, appealing, youthful and 'family friendly'.
The movie begins with Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) grieving the loss of his
wife Tina (Rani Mukherjee) who dies after giving birth to a daughter. At
Tina's insistence Rahul names the daughter Anjali and leaves behind as a
present, a set of eight letters - one letter for each birthday. The
eighth and final letter tells Anjali (Sana Saeed) of how Tina and Rahul
had met during their college days. The letter also tells Anjali of a friend
of Rahul's friend - a tom boyish and brattish Kajol also named Anjali.
Rahul and Anjali are best of buddies until Tina sets into the picture
and bowls over Rahul completely. It is then that Anjali realises her
true love for Rahul but it is already too late, and so she leaves the
campus and returns home - after which she never meets Rahul again. Tina
was aware of Anjali's love for Rahul and asks Anjali jr in her letter to reunite them
as she felt that they were meant for each other.
Cut to the present - Anjali snr has now transformed into a saree clad, demure woman engaged to be married to Aman (Salman Khan) in a few months time. It is now up to Anjali jr to embark on her mission to play Cupid and re-unite the former friends....
As I mentioned earlier as a director Karan Johar does a very good job and extracts brilliant performances from all the members of his cast. Shah Rukh is put on a leash and comes up with an honest yet restrained performance - one of his best till date. Notice how he lets his eyes do the talking rather than consistently hamming (a trait he's so used to). Rani Mukherjee pumps life into an otherwise abbreviated role, looking gorgeus besides. Her lines in the letters to her daughter are very well delievered - in fact I could hear the sniffles in the crowd during these particular scenes! Salman Khan adds yet another peppy performance to his list this year and brings in the much needed relief in the movie. In fact in a few scenes he's steals the show from right under Shah Rukh's nose! Above all it is Kajol who shines throughout the film - she is simply terrific both as the neglected lover and the mature woman - in fact so much so that the audience hardly feels that she's acting but rather, really going through her trauma. Incidentally her chemistry with Shah Rukh Khan (especially during the rain sequence) is electrifying! Sana Saeed overracts at times but still delievers a good performance. Special mention must also be made of the Sikh kid who has only three words throughout the film but is simply hilarious to watch. Farida Jalal, Johnny Lever and Anupam Kher lend able support while Archana Puran Singh is excellent as the Shakespere reciting English Teacher.
The scenes that put a smile on your face are aplently - for example - Johnny Lever worshipping Queen Elizabeth, When Shah Rukh & Kajol meet each other after eight years and exchange nothing other than a nervous 'hi', Anupam Kher's and Archana Puran Singhs witty escapades, Kajol's take-off on Urmila - there are many more but then I dont want to sit here writing each one out for you...!
The song picturisations are excellent especially the title song and 'Tujhe Yaad Na Meri'. The innovative choreography by Farah Khan and outfits by Manish Malhotra are also praise worthy. Jatin - Lalit's music is good but nowhere in the league of their earlier hits this year. They still however manage to come up with hummable tunes like the catchy title song and 'Ladki Badi Anjaani Hai'
On the flip side however the director has really gone overboard with the glycerine and availibility of shooting stars. Additionally Karan seems to take one liberties too many - like putting across a message implying that only women with boom figures are attractive - attractive personalities are hardly important. But with an overall great film to watch, Karan we'll definitely let you off with that glaringly obvious flaw...
Rating:
