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Kal Ho Na Ho
Director: Nikhil Advani
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta, Jaya Bachchan, Sonali Bendre, Reema Lagu, Lillete Dubey.
 It is yet another wholesome entertainer from the Yash Johar stables, this time the complete story based in New York. Spiced with romance, humour and pathos, it follows the lines of Karan Johar's earlier films like 'Kuch Kuch Hotha Hai' and 'Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Ghum' wherein Indian culture, values and the joint family ambience is depicted with so much warmth and sensitivity.
Weaved into the structure is the triangular romance between Rohit, Aman and Naina. Sans the overdose of glamour and action, the film yet manages to capture audience attention for the entire narration proving that a well-told story and neat presentation works better than no proper scripting and frills galore.
With Karan Johar scripting the film, it is directed by debutant Nikhil Advani. But it's the Karan Johar touch that you see throughout the film. It centres round three main characters. Naina, who is sober, serious and cynical, shunning parties, men not her cup of tea, discouraging friends on men and marriage. The only man she shares an easy camarederie with is Rohit (Saif), her best buddy. But Rohit is in love with her, not telling her his feelings, knowing her cynical views on
marraige.
Enters into the neighbourhood Aman (Shah Rukh Khan) cocky, assured, who seemed to have the answers to all life's questions. Soon everyone's favourite, he irritates Naina no end with his wisecracks, till she too falls for his charm. Aman gets the smile back on her face and goads her into doing things she wouldn't have dreamt of doing. In this, he has new-found friend Rohit to help.
Egged on by Aman, Rohit decides to confess his love to Naina. But Rohit is in for a surprise when Naina pre-empts him by confessing her love for Aman. But Aman has his own tryst with destiny. The three friends share a strong, unusual bonding, recognising and respecting each other's feelings. Realising that life must go on, they decide to celebrate life amidst death.
It's a not-to-be-missed film, excellent in its depiction of the evolving relationship between the three protagonists, which lifts it above the routine love triangle. Shah Rukh is splendid as Aman, re-establishing his credentials as an actor with an abundance of emotional reportoire, wrenching our hearts with his portrayal. Preity Zinta seems to improve from film to film, her bubbliness and spontaneous performance reminding one of Kajol, filling the void Kajol has left. Saif is the surprise package, lively and holding his own against the emotional onslaught of Shah Rukh. And there's Jaya Bachchan as Preity's mother, a delight to watch on the screen even today.
A celebration of life amidst death 'Kal Ho Na Ho' has all the ingredients to turn it into a superhit!
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Malini Mannath
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Published on 8th Dec, 2003
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