Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is packed with contemporary trappings and production values but is in every way a traditional and generic Hindi movie. Those new to Bollywood might be disconcerted by some of the fashion statements or the mixture of drawn-out, lachrymose melodrama and slightly overplayed comedy-romantic interplay between Rahul and Anjali. There are also some scenes around Leicester Square and Westminster that are almost insulting in their stereotyping of hot, swinging London. However, K3G--as it has become affectionately known--is a riot of joyful color, music and choreography (an embarrassing version of "It's Raining Men" is an exception). This is not a crossover movie, perhaps but a sumptuous treat for Bollywood fans. --David Stubbs

This is a story about a man named Rohan (Hrithik Roshan) who wonders what happened to his older brother Rahul (Shahrukh Khan). He overheard his grandmother talking about how Rohan's father asked his eldest son to leave home because he fell in love with a girl from the village. Rahul married the village girl and moved to London. So Rohan sets about a quest to find his older brother in London and bring him home to their father to try to make amends. Rohan's and Rahul's father (Amitabh Bachchan) is too proud to admit that he misses his son and knows that his wife (Jaya Bachchan), is tramatically heartbroken and without peace with Rahul gone.

This is a very colorful film which really flaunts the lifestyle of the filthy rich. All the costumes are so beautiful, and all the songs in this film are truly enjoyable. This film also stars Kajol, Kareena Kapoor, and a small part with my favorite actress Rani Mukherjee. If you saw "Asoka", this is also where you saw Shahrukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor together. And if you saw "Mission Kashmir", that is where you saw Hrithik Roshan. And also, if you are familiar, at all, about Bollywood films, you will know that Amitabh Bachchan is the most famous actor in the world (perhaps only the US may be the least familiar with him).

Karan Johar has just released his third film called "Kal Ho Naa Ho" which stars (again) Shahrukh Khan, and also Saif Ali Khan, and Preity Zinta (also in "Mission Kashmir") . Pretty soon, you'll see how easy it is to start collecting movies of your favorite Bollywood stars. To download pictures of these stars and stills from these movies, go to www.IndiaFM.com . To find out other movies these stars are in, go to Amazon's www.IMDb.com .

I am so glad to see that Amazon is making these Bollywood films available.


"Yash, My Name Is Yash" ~ Family Ethics Versus True Love   September 3, 2005
Brian E. Erland (Brea, CA - USA)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

Note: Hindi with English subtitles.

Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) adopted son of a wealthy Indian family is disowned by his Father (Amitabh Bachchan) for refusing his arranged marriage and marrying Anjali (Kajol) a poor local girl. Brokenhearted, Rahul not only leaves the family estate, but leaves India altogether taking up residence in London, England.

Ten years later his younger brother Rohan (Hrithik Roshan) goes in search of Rahul in hopes of mending the breach between father and son and restore family unity. Rohan was only a small boy when Rahul left, so when they meet again in London Rahul has no idea who he is. Rohan introduces himself saying, "Ash, my name is Ash," using his Father's name to stir his older brother's memories of home.

So begins the deception. Pretending to be a college student named Yash in search of lodging he is taken in by Rahul's family. With his disguise firmly in place Rohan begins to work on Rahul's emotions and love for family and Mother India in an attempt to breakthrough the bitterness of the past.

'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' is one of three fantastic Indian films produced in the last couple of years. While the other two, 'Lagaan' and 'Pinjar' are not normative Indian films, this one takes advantage of all the usual Bollywood formulas. However it does it so perfectly you don't care.

The sets and costumes are sumptuous beyond belief, while the music and dancing sways back and forth between mindboggling frenzy and sweet melancholy touching every human emotion imaginable. It doesn't get any better than this in Bollywood, or anywhere else for that matter!


"Shava Shava" stuck in my head.   June 4, 2005
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

This is the first Bollywood movie I have ever watched, so I do not have a basis of comparison with other Bollywood movies. I believe this is a good thing, because watching it, I was not caught saying, "Well, this wasn't as good as Asoka", or, "This is a rip-off of such-and-such". I saw it for what it was--a fun 3 act musical that keeps you glued. The music is infecting (I just bought the soundtrack because of it), the storyline, while predictable, is enjoyable, and once you realized it was a musical the song and dance numbers didn't feel as strange. If you hate musicals, you will hate this film, but for everyone else, you really should watch it.


Outstanding/Flawless/Humbling   April 30, 2005
Harkanwar Anand (New York, New York)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

What Can I say about the movie popularly known as K3G? It has a massive star caste. You don't get to see the legendary Amitabh Bachan,SRK and Hrithik Roshan in one film. The story thought quite filmy is different from the ones I've watched. It has its own inertia. There are many scenes in this film that made me go numb. I saw this film in my early-late teens and I must say it came as a jolt to me.

It's a family based drama. Easily the best Bollywood has ever put out. Karan Johar wins all respect for the kind of emotion he seeks to and manges to bring out in not just the characters but the audience too. I never heard anyone talk ill of this film simply cause its flawless. Now Now Now...if I had to describe the film to someone I'd say its about a father , a step son and a son. One very underlined motive behind this film is family values.

I've seen previous films like Hum Aapke Hai Kaun and Maine Pyaar Kiya and a few others. With all due respect, I thought they were corny,overbloated and pointless. They tried to appeal to the mass audience and did but they never really struck any emotional chord with me. K3G has simple scenes that are so brilliantly directed that they actually brought a tear or ten to my eyes. I felt there was something wrong with me. Maybe it's the absolutely subtle niceness I noticed in a few characters.
Hrithik never acted as good as he did in this film. There's this nice boyish non rebellious energy in him that leaves me confused.

Jaya Bachchan was surprisingly good in the film. I have never liked her acting. Kareena Kapoor is good for her role.Kajol , who I for some reason held some contempt again delivers a great performance as a wife stuck between inlaws and her hubby. The introductions to the characters of Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik were just outstanding.

A very well thought out film. I noticed quite a few people cry shamelessly at the absolute feeling of being benighted in a lot of people who watched this film. Me for one.

I can go on but I can't quiet comprehend the level of film making karan johar streched this film to. "Kaal" in comparison is very disappointing.


EXCELLENT CAST   June 9, 2004
Ali (DA Film GENIOUS) (UK LONDON)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This film stars the Legend of Bollywood AMitabh BAchchan and The Superstar of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan. Alongside Amitabh's reallife wife Jaya Bachchan in a magnificent role. This film will apeal to anybody who likes bollywood Film. its very Fun and emotinally entertainingly Heart warming. One Actress who almost ruined it with her ridiculouly unnatural acting in the film Kareena Kapoor. Otherwise.. Great 4 Bollywood Fans