Kal Ho Na Ho

 

Kal Ho Naa Ho  also abbreviated as KHNH, is a 2003 Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy-drama film directed by Nikkhil Advani. The film stars Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Preity Zinta, with Sushma Seth, Reema Lagoo, Lillete Dubey, and Delnaaz Paul in supporting roles. It tells the story of Naina Catherine Kapur, a pessimistic and uptight MBA student, living in New York City. She falls in love with her neighbour Aman Mathur, a terminally ill patient who tries to set Naina up with her best friend Rohit Patel, since he fears she will grieve for him if he reciprocates her feelings.

The film was written by Karan Johar, who co-produced it with his father Yash Johar under their Dharma Productions banner on a budget of ₹280 million (about US$6.1 million in 2003). The dialogue was written by Niranjan Iyengar and Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy composed the score. Anil Mehta, Manish Malhotra, and Sharmishta Roy were the cinematographer, costume designer and art director, respectively. Principal photography took place in Toronto, New York City, and Mumbai from January to October 2003. The soundtrack was released on 27 September 2003 to positive reviews; the title song, "It's The Time To Disco", "Kuch To Hua Hai", and "Pretty Woman" were particularly well-received.

Kal Ho Naa Ho was released on 27 November 2003 with the promotional tagline, "A Story of a Lifetime ... In a Heartbeat". The film received positive critical feedback and was commercially successful; it earned ₹860.9 million (about US$18.8 million in 2003), and was the highest-grossing Indian film of the year. It explores several themes, such as the depiction of non-resident Indians, inter-caste marriage, terminal illness, and homosexuality through innuendo and homosocial bonding. It won two National Film Awards, eight Filmfare Awards, thirteen International Indian Film Academy Awards, six Producers Guild Film Awards, three Screen Awards, and two Zee Cine Awards in 2004.

 

Plot

Naina Catherine Kapur is a pessimistic, uptight MBA student who lives in New York City with her widowed mother Jennifer Kapur, her disabled brother Shiv, her adopted sister Gia, and her paternal grandmother Lajjo. Jennifer runs an unsuccessful café with her neighbour, Jaswinder "Jazz" Kapoor. Lajjo is hostile to Jennifer and Gia as she believes that Gia's adoption led her son (Jennifer's husband and Naina's father) to commit suicide.

Naina has two best friends: her classmate, Rohit Patel, and Jaspreet "Sweetu" Kapoor, Jazz's sister. Her life is dull and overshadowed by her father's loss until Aman Mathur and his mother move in next door with his uncle, Pritam Chaddha. Aman's cheerfulness gradually wins over Naina's family and he slowly starts to solve their problems. He suggests that they change the café to an Indian restaurant and its success alleviates their financial burdens. Aman encourages Naina to be happy and to live life to the fullest; she falls in love with him.

Rohit also falls in love with Naina and asks Aman's help in expressing his feelings. Naina tells Rohit there is something she must say to him, leading him to think that she reciprocates his feelings. Naina reveals she is in love with Aman instead. Shaken, Rohit calls Aman to tell him what has happened. Naina goes to Aman's house and is shocked to see a wedding photograph of Aman and his wife, Priya. Heartbroken, she leaves.

Aman's mother confronts him about what has happened. He says he loves Naina, but has decided to hide it because he is dying from a heart condition. He is not actually married; Priya is his childhood friend and doctor. Aman vows to bring Naina and Rohit together before he dies. He believes that Rohit will be able to provide for her better than he can. He hatches a plan to transform Naina and Rohit's bond, and gradually their friendship blossoms into love. Naina discovers his plan and chides Aman for trying to ruin her friendship with Rohit. Aman takes out Rohit's diary and confesses his feelings for Naina, saying they are Rohit's. Naina forgives Aman and Rohit.

Rohit proposes to Naina, and she accepts. Lajjo and Jennifer argue about Gia, who calls on Aman for help. Despite Jennifer's objections, he reveals to Lajjo that her son had an affair and fathered Gia. When Gia's biological mother refused to accept her, Jennifer adopted her. Unable to deal with the guilt, Jennifer's husband committed suicide. Lajjo realises her mistake and reconciles with Jennifer and Gia.

During Naina and Rohit's engagement, Aman has a heart attack. Only his mother knows he has been admitted to the hospital. Naina encounters Priya at a jewellery store, whom she recognises as Aman's wife. She introduces herself and her husband, Abhay, who reveals the truth about Aman. Shocked, Naina realises that Aman has sacrificed his love for her and leaves the mall in an emotional frenzy. Priya calls up Aman and informs him about what happened. Aman leaves the hospital and meets a frustrated Rohit, who asks why he and not Aman should marry Naina. Aman urges Rohit to marry Naina as a sign of respect for his dying wish to see Naina happy. Aman meets Naina, and they embrace while he tries to persuade her that he does not love her. Rohit and Naina's wedding, in which Aman attends, takes place soon afterward.

Sometime after the wedding, Aman is on his deathbed and says goodbye to everyone. He is left alone with Rohit after Naina leaves the room in tears. He makes Rohit promise that, although Naina is his in this lifetime, he will get her in the next. Twenty years later, Naina tells a grown-up Gia how Aman affected every aspect of their lives. They are joined by her daughter Priya and Rohit, who tells Naina that he loves her as they embrace.

 

Cast

·         Jaya Bachchan as Jennifer Kapur

·         Shah Rukh Khan as Aman Mathur

·         Saif Ali Khan as Rohit Patel

·         Preity Zinta as Naina Catherine Kapur

·         Sushma Seth as Lajjo Kapur

·         Reema Lagoo as Aman's mother

·         Lillete Dubey as Jaswinder "Jazz" Kapoor

·         Delnaaz Paul as Jaspreet "Sweetu" Kapoor

·         Shoma Anand as Kammo

·         Kamini Khanna as Vimmo

·         Ketki Dave as Sarlaben Patel

·         Sulbha Arya as Kantaben

·         Athit Naik as Shiv Kapur

·         Jhanak Shukla as Gia Kapur

·         Simone Singh as Camilla (special appearance)

·         Satish Shah as Karsanbhai Patel

·         Rajpal Yadav as Guru

·         Dara Singh as Pritam Chaddha

·         Sanjay Kapoor as Abhay (special appearance)

·         Kajol as a dancer in the song "Maahi Ve" (special appearance)

·         Rani Mukerji as a dancer in the song "Maahi Ve" (special appearance)

·         Sonali Bendre as Priya (special appearance)

·         Dheepesh Bhatt as Frankie

·         Anaita Shroff Adajania as Geeta Parekh

·         Anil Mehta as Naina's father (uncredited)

·         Farah Khan and Karan Johar as customers in Jenny's restaurant (uncredited)

·         Uday Chopra as a narrator who says "Day 6" (uncredited)