Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (KANK)

Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna
Another Karan Johar (KJ) film hits the camp. And it is once again a star studded bonanza, with billion dollar Manhattan sets, mansions, penthouses and the works. KJ certainly has the art to spend tons of money on the sets, costumes, accessories, hair and make-up. The story is about love, and essentially that love is what sustains a marriage. Without love marriage is more of a burden than a relief. The story advocates that if one finds love in one's marriage then life is complete even if it incomplete in other areas. The ending was a strong point of the film. It was different, unpredicatable and had a ring of justice to it. Another strong point of the film is that the spouses are not portrayed as evil, no-good, malicious, or clearly worthy of dumping. the characters of Priti and Abhishek have many likable streaks. Especially Abhishek is turly a happy-go-lucky-in-love-with-his-wife-ready to-do-anything-for-her husband. Despite his sincerity of love his wife does not feel any love for him and I think there in lies the tragedy of the film. The falling in love with another man, the deciet, the infidelity, the passionate lovemaking all add to her edispleasure but the final straw comes when her own father-in-law Amitabh discovers her loveaffair. Her discomfort, sense of guilt reaches the zenith but all falls flat when she hears her dadinlaw give her the advise that the best thing to do would be to move ahead, to leave her husband, and to not be in a marriage that is depriving his son of true love he deserves. Amitabh was a show stealer in the film. He was funny, witty, flirtatitious, emotional, and wise. He can do to a role what butter can do to a parantha. Shahrukh brought the edginess of his character well to the suface but there were instances where his acting could have made this film much stronger. Rani looked a million dollars but she really needs to lose that untimely smile. Why can't she stop smiling where there is no need to do that!! That will always be her flaw but then I guess it is forgiven given her brilliant shemistry with the Khan. They do have a rocking chemistry. I think most women who act with him actually do end up falling in love with him. I can't wait to watch his Don.Preity had many scenes where she looked oomphatic but then some scenes she looked a highly tensed up brow raising siren. Some works need to be undone on her. Karan Johan is worthy of complimenting in KANK for a fresh outlook on marriage, an outlook that challenges tradition, tradition that preaches suffocation. It is a feminist approach to living that he prescribes rather smoothly. Definitely a movie that will raise discussions over coffee in many a circles. In the end it is a film you want to not miss but when you leave you'd certainly wish it was a good half an hour shorter. The essence of love one feels when the Mitwa song comes is very strong. The empathy one feels for the lovers and at the same time for their spouses is well pulled from the audience. Hey with so many strong points I will say that the film is a success. Kudos to KJ.