Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

Article Updated 11 August, 2006 11:30:21 PM IST

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

The three stars are for the look of the film, some of the songs, and the performances. 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' is true to the Karan Johar genre of films; full of gloss but lacks content. If 'KANK' is Karan Johar's idea of progressive cinema, then sorry it doesn't work for us. While Karan's previous films dealt with relationships, this one looks at marriage. Do we need to add that the director has a very lopsided view of it. What he's projected on screen may happen in certain sections of society but definitely not in the common man's life. Unfortunately the film comes across as a desperate attempt to make a bold statement.

'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' is about two couples; Dev Saran (Shah Rukh Khan) and his wife Rhea (Preity Zinta), and Rishi Talwar (Abhishek Bachchan) and his wife Maya (Rani Mukherji). The couples are not related but circumstances bring them together.

Of course, there is Rishi's father, Sam (Amitabh Bachchan), and Rhea's mother (Kirron Kher) too in the film.

Rhea and Dev's marriage is in a bit of trouble despite a young son, Arjun. Dev is a football player who has to give up playing because of a leg injury. He limps throughout the film. Rhea assumes that Dev resents her success.

Maya is disinterested in her marriage right from the day of her marriage. We wonder why she marries Rishi when she's full of doubt about the marriage. Give us a break, she is a 21st century girl living in the US of A. When she has no qualms about entering into an extra-marital affair with Dev in the latter part of the film, why doesn't she take a stand against the marriage or at least stall it for a while. There is no passion in the marriage although Rishi loves her wholeheartedly. Now this seems too far-fetched.

It's impossible, especially for a woman, to remain unaffected by a decently attractive human being who showers so much love on her. Anyway, we understand Rishi's wrath when she's unresponsive to him in bed. But the best part is, she's the one who goes looking for love and passion outside her marriage instead of him.

Cut to Rhea. She too has problems with Dev and has enough distractions in her work place to indulge in an extra-marital affair. But she's too tied up with her work and ambition to do it. So we're left with Dev and Maya who look like they have no occupation in life. So most of their time is spent together sipping coffee or discussing why their marriage has failed. We still sympathize with Dev but Maya? Here Karan Johar is really proving a point that people with lots of money and time go looking for relationships outside their marriage. In a way, the film is also sending out a wrong message to married couples.

Now for the plus points of the film. Some of the dialogues are very effective and have a deeper meaning. Like for instance, when Rhea accuses Dev of being a failure in life, he responds by admitting to it and adds that more than he being a failure it's their marriage that has been a bigger failure.

One scene that really stands out is when Dev confesses to Rhea in front of their respective families that he's in love with Maya. Of course, he laughs it off as a joke immediately. But the seed of doubt that has been sown in Sam's mind is well-expressed.

There's a scene in which Dev is waiting for Maya with a bouquet of flowers. She's crossing the road and Rhea too lands up on the same crossing. Rhea spots Dev and is surprised to see him with a bouquet of flowers. She assumes that it's for her. The tension here is really built up well.

Yeah, we forgot to mention how Rhea and Rishi get friendly and discuss their marital problems. They indulge in a bit of bitching about marriage but ultimately admit to each other their love for their respective spouses. So they both decide to call up their respective spouses to make up. They don't realize that their spouses are romancing with each other over the phone. So they leave a lovey dovey message on their cell phones. Now why don't their spouses retrieve their respective messages. So Rhea and Rishi, despite their hectic schedules, are trying their best to bring their marriage back on the right footing. So there, illogical stuff too happening in the film.

We also wonder why nobody advised Dev and Maya to keep their relationship under wraps, especially when they'd decided to call if off. Didn't someone tell them that the secret to a happy marriage is not sharing everything with your spouse, especially not tales of betrayal. It's very rare for a marriage to last after a confession of this nature. But there's a twist in the tale which leads to a disturbing climax that most conservative Indians might not be able to relate to.

Coming back to the plus points of the film. The title song 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna', 'Rock n Roll Soniye', and 'Where's The Party Tonite' truly rock. The performances are truly good. Shah Rukh is very entertaining in the first half and the perfect intense lover in the second half. Preity is her usual confident and natural self and one can see her transition from a bubbly girl to a mature woman. The generous show of cleavage is an indication. Rani is good, as usual. Abhishek is also good and handles the comic and emotional scenes well. His angry outburst when Maya reveals to him her affair with Dev is outstanding. Kajol and John Abraham are scene stealers in their brief appearances in two songs; 'Rock n Roll Soniye' and 'Where's The Party Tonite' respectively. Excellent cinematography. Senior Bachchan is in superb form and his womanizing streak in the film looks almost true to life. Arjun Rampal doesn't get much scope.

Overall a film with style but no real content and that will work only for its brand name.

*** (Three stars)

*poor; **average; ***good; ****very good; *****excellent

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