Review by : Priti Naruka

OUTLINE

Karan Johar is back teamed up with directorial debut of Nikhil Advani. Will the SRK - Karan Johar combo magic work the third time round? The answer is yes, the SRK - Karan Johar magic does cast a spell the third time around. The film works, courtesy SRK's incredible performance and Karan's deft writing. The movie though has sad ending but with tears in eyes viewers walk away with hope that never fades and love that never dies…

STORY LINE

'Kal Ho Na Ho' is a story of Naina Catherine Kapur (Priety Zinta), She is 23, but is serious, boring and is completely distraught by the conditions which surround her. In addition to this, she is bombarded with the responsibilities of taking care of her younger brother and sister, as well as helping her mother, Jennifer (Jaya Bachchan) in family's economical complications and is surrounded in complication between her granny Sushma Seth and mother who are just creating the chaos when they are together. There isn't anything cool about Naina, apart from her good looks and her Gujarati friend Rohit Patel (Saif Ali Khan), who considers himself as the next coolest chap ever born on earth.

Enters Aman Mathur (Shah Rukh Khan), the man who loves life to the core. Like fresh air, he moves into the life of his Indian neighborhood and takes over their sorrows and helps them in solving their problems and face life's little challenges - Aman has all the chants to be like an angel and bring smile even in eyes with tears. Naina hates him at first sight, but his spell brings smile to her face and her dull life gets color full of joy and love.

KAL HO NAA HO is the story of Aman, Rohit and Naina's journey together. How they discover themselves, find the courage to love and come together to celebrate life.

ANALYSIS

Like Karan's previous flicks, KAL HO NAA HO is a film that revolves around life of an Indian family though residing in NY, but the roots are very Indian. The writer Karan Johar and director Nikhil Advani have packaged the film with Punjabis, Gujaratis, Sardars, Christians, a video pirate from Mumbai uttering Mumbaiya lingo…The film is very much desi in pardes.

The first half is full of light moments, which brings real smile on viewer's specially injected drama between Sushma Seth - Jaya Bachchan that adds spice to the proceedings. It is the second half that has its share of serious moments. The love triangle and the complexities of relationships, treated differently, keep the viewer glued to the screen and makes film at success heights altogether.

The climax is a revelation full of emotions and completely justified, in keeping with the story of the film. The end is pleasant, very family-oriented and will be identified by Indians everywhere, whether in India or on foreign soil.

Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's gets full marks for melody and keeping a link with the movie. Of the songs, 'Pretty Woman', 'Mahi Ve' and the title track sound pleasant. The beautiful picturized song Kuch to hua hai is no doubt tells the story of every new lovers situation.

The choreography by Farah Khan is brilliant. Cinematography by Anil Mehta can be compared to the best of international cinema.

Nikhil Advani makes a confident debut and one can feel the flavor of Karan Johar. Karan Johar's overall scripting and the detailing that has gone into some sequences proves that Hindi cinema has writers full of talents. Niranjan Iyengar's dialogues are excellent.

One can't imagine KAL HO NAA HO without SRK. The actor delivers yet another brilliant performance that he can be proud and everyone realizes he is a real actor. The role gives him immense scope to prove his talent, which he has showed every time and this time too he carries not just his role, but the entire film on his firm shoulders. Preity Zinta is pretty as usual and has acted with great conviction. This film should consolidate her status as an actress of substance. Saif Ali Khan is a revelation. The actor manages to stand on his own despite towering performances by SRK and Preity. Not only does the actor look suave, he even carries off his role with pride.

Jaya Bachchan delivers yet another flawless performance. Sonali Bendre is special appearance acts her part well. Kajol, Rani Mukerji and Uday Chopra in their special appearances, add glitter to the film. Sanjay Kapoor too in special appearance does well.

Rajpal Yadav excels as Mumbaiya. Sulbha Arya's (Kantaben) comedy track, when she suspects SRK and Saif of having an affair, will bring the house down. It's simply hilarious.

Sushma Seth is brilliant and so is Reema Lagoo. Lilette Dubey, Delnaz Paul, Satish Shah and Ketaki Dave liven the proceedings. Simone Singh looks gorgeous. Shoma Anand and Dara Singh are also good.

On the whole, KAL HO NAA HO has all to bring viewers to theatre. KAL HO NAA HO should emerge a winner, setting new records in days to come!

BORDERLINE: FAMILY ORINTED EMOTIONAL FILM WITH BRILLIANT PERFORMANCES