Arshad's Contri

KANK WAS A HYPE for western culture

900 prints have been released by karan johar in that 300 are outside India ,

 

The Story

What do you do if you find your soulmate after marriage? That's the key question at the heart of director Karan Johar's 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' which opens this week. For Shahrukh Khan and Rani Mukherjee, both trapped in marriages that are falling apart, the options aren't too many. After all, love is all about staying faithful to your partner till death do us apart, isn't it? Well maybe not, Johar suggests in this glossed-up, all song-and-dance tear-jerker set in the heart of Manhattan, New York.

Shahrukh's a failed football player whose marriage to Preity Zinta has lost its fizz. In fact, he's a bitter and temperamental man who not only makes an insecure husband to his successful wife, but also a tyrannical father to their little son. In another part of the same city, Rani Mukherjee marries her childhood friend Abhishek Bachchan but feels little passion towards him although he's nuts about her. Shahrukh and Rani find love in each other's arms and embark upon an affair that is sure to leave many people shattered.

Right off the bat, you're relieved that this one's not a syrupy saga about perfect relationships. In fact it unabashedly holds a mirror to everything that's wrong in modern marriages. There are no easy answers, and thankfully, Johar doesn't shy away from making that clear. Unlike the protagonists of his last film 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham', who were all good-as-gold and pristine clean and merely conflicted over a misunderstanding, the characters in 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' are damaged goods. They're confused, they're complexed, and they're hurting as hell. As a result, they do all the wrong things and they say all the wrong things. And really, that's what makes them both relatable and endearing on screen.

Few writers have such solid control over their screenplay as Karan Johar does. Few understand the intricacies of narrative as well as he does. Johar goes from highs to lows, from plateaus to peaks with the ease of a pro. He knows exactly how to turn a seemingly ordinary scene into something special with just that one line of dialogue, or that hint of background music. Just watch how he builds the tension in that scene, where both Rani and Preity approach Shahrukh from across the road, both unaware of the other's presence.

Or the scene at the opera, where Shahrukh is overcome with jealousy, when he watches Abhishek exercise his conjugal rights on Rani. But if you're looking for vintage Karan Johar, then it's that scene where Shah Rukh convinces Rani that they are made for each other because they both love the colour blue. And subsequently, there is a colour coordinated song that follows.

If there's something that jars, then it's the puerile comedy in the film's first hour, involving a child kidnapper and a case of mistaken identities. That episode plays out much longer than needed, and only adds to the film's length. But for real laughs, there's a priceless scene around Rani and some S&M gear she slips into, to spice up her marriage. There's also a childish but nonetheless hilarious scene of Shahrukh and Rani suspecting their respective spouses of infidelity.

Unarguably the film's central source of comedy is Amitabh Bachchan playing Abhishek's randy father with a voracious sexual appetite. His racy dialogue makes you turn beetroot red with embarrassment, but you're also fighting hard to suppress your giggles.

While it's bold and treads new ground as far as Karan Johar's themes are concerned, the film also relies heavily on trademark Johar dependables like eye-watering cinematography, impeccable production design and extravagantly filmed songs. And therein lies the real risk and ultimately the real success of this film - Johar tackles an uncomfortable premise but very much within the parameters of your masala Bollywood potboiler and with all the trappings in place. Sadly, that also means one must revisit that crazy world, where coincidences are commonplace and characters in love can sense each other's comings-and-goings through telepathy.

Of the cast, Preity Zinta fits her role to the tee, reflecting just that slight hint of cold detachment that the part requires from her. Amitabh Bachchan nails it with a performance that carefully treads the fine line between an old pervert and naughty senior. It is to his credit as an actor, that he can switch from playful to prophetic, as he offers those words of wisdom that eventually become the direction that the cheating couple take in the story.

Shahrukh Khan turns in an inspired performance as a resentful family man who's covered with issues from head to toe. He conveys his inner turmoil by losing his cool one time too many, but in the process he creates a character you can instantly empathise with. The consistently competent Rani Mukherjee takes on the film's toughest role - a part that may be hard to sympathise with - but she injects it with tenderness and believability.

It's really she who conveys the film's central message - great friends don't necessarily make great lovers, it's real passion, real love that makes a great marriage. Rani looks a million bucks and she dives under the skin of her character to make that part, one that we will remember for a long time. And it's Abhishek Bachchan, delivering what is easily his best performance to date, who's the film's surprise packet. He conveys both vulnerability and bratty boyishness with such ease that he wins you over from the word go. The film's ensemble cast plays off each other comfortably, and never once slips out of character in a bid to outdo the other.

In the end, the real star of 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' is the film's director himself who takes big strides as a storyteller. Distancing himself from the kind of melodrama he's subjected us to in the past, Johar goes for more subtle emotions this time. His characters may still wear designer togs but they're all grey and they've messed up their lives. If cinema is entertainment, then this film succeeds, and how!

At three hours and ten minutes it's a tad long, but Johar's been guilty of that crime in the past too. Then that's both a thumbs up and a rating of four of out five for Karan Johar's 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna', a wholesome entertainer that proves that when done well, there's nothing quite like the masala Bollywood film

 

 

The Music

 Its a worth buy for 99/-

 

Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (Never Say Goodbye). His latest venture has a daunting cast that includes some of Johar's favorites: Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee, Preity Zinta, Arjun Rampal and Kirron Kher.

The album was recently released, and I finally have the chance to write the review I’ve been waiting for. The music for Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna has been composed by trio Shankar Ehsaan Loy. Javed Akhtar has written the lyrics.

List of Songs

1.Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna- Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik

The opening piano notes of this song herald the beginning of an album that can only have a Karan Johar stamp on it. One would not expect the introductory song of any Hindi album to be about separation, but when the movie is titled Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, this is not entirely surprising. What can I say about this song? It’s soft. It’s beautiful. It’s heartbreaking. Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik do full justice to the emotions. Javed Akhtar’s lyrics are spot on. The real surprise in this song are Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy. The music directors truly prove their mettle and show that they don’t just create chartbusting item numbers. They can create chartbusting romantic pieces too!


2.Mitwa- Caralisa, Shafaqat Amanat Ali, Shankar Mahadevan

The first thing that one notices about this song is that it’s totally different! It’s a typical Hindi song, infused with a Pakistani musical touch and a hint of Western influence. Everything from the instruments to the composition to the singing is refreshing. Shafaqat Amanat Ali’s classical renditions are impressive. As always, music director Shankar Mahadevan tries a different approach to his singing, and he does a good job. Caralisa has a small part but she has a very sweet voice and showcases it toward the end. This song also has a remix version (surprise, surprise). But unlike other remixes, I actually like this one. The original is so great and remixing it truly enhances the likeability factor of this song. Perfect for a remix!


3.Where's The Party Tonight- Loy Mendoza, Shaan, Shankar Mahadevan, Vasundhara Das

This song reminds me a lot of It’s the Time to Disco from Kal Ho Na Ho. This is the only song in the album that I didn’t get totally excited about. But, it’s catchy, it’s hip, and most importantly, they got their English pronunciations right! Loy Mendoza does the techno voice, Shankar Mahadevan does the English, and Shaan and Vasundhara Das join in with the Hindi lyrics. I have mixed feelings about this song. Some parts I like, some I thought could’ve been better. But I didn’t dislike it. No, it’s an okay song.


4.Tumhi Dekho Na- Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik

This romantic number is pleasing to the ears and a welcome piece after the fast-paced “Where’s the Party Tonight.” Again, Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik do a fabulous job. The music is soothing and the lyrics are heartfelt. A typical Karan Johar piece! (Think Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Suraj Hua Maddham, and Kal Ho Na Ho).


5.Rock N’Roll Soniye- Mahalaxmi Iyer, Shaan, Shankar Mahadevan

I love it! This song is totally like a 70s rock and roll piece. It might not appeal to the masses, but I thought it was a fun little song. It sounds like they had a blast doing this one! Shaan is rockin’ and Shankar is rollin’ in this song. And yay for Mahalaxmi Iyer! One wishes she would get behind the mic more often. Another thing, if you don’t like this song, at least wait until the end before turning it off. So overall, I can’t really predict the fate of this song at the box office, but the 70s groove is certainly different from your normal, run-of-the-mill Hindi songs. A valiant effort by Shankar Ehsaan Loy.

6.Farewell Trance

Good theme music

Like every Karan Johar album, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna is classy, hip, and emotional all at the same time. Go buy it people. You won’t be disappointed! Now I’m waiting for the movie.

 

Some important Links 

I will write the lyrics soon .

Official Wesite

Download Mp3's Here

(C)arshadworld,1998