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Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

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Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKaran Johar
Screenplay byKaran Johar
Shibani Bathija
Dialogues byNiranjan Iyengar
Story byKaran Johar
Produced byHiroo Yash Johar
Starring
CinematographyAnil Mehta
Edited bySanjay Sankla
Music byShankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Production
company
Release date
  • 11 August 2006 (2006-08-11)
Running time
192 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget₹50 crore[2]
Box office₹113 crore[3][4]

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (transl. Never Say Goodbye), also abbreviated as KANK, is a 2006 Indian Hindi-language musical romantic drama film directed by Karan Johar, who co-wrote the screenplay with Shibani Bathija. It was produced by Hiroo Yash Johar under the banner of Dharma Productions. The film stars an ensemble cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukherji, Preity Zinta and Kirron Kher. Set primarily in New York City, the film explores themes of marital infidelity, emotional dissatisfaction, and dysfunctional relationships, and was promoted with the tagline, "A Love... That Broke All Relationships."[5] It marked a significant departure from Johar’s earlier family-oriented films, tackling more mature and controversial subject matter.

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna centers on Dev and Maya, two individuals trapped in unfulfilling marriages who form an emotional connection that evolves into an extramarital affair, challenging traditional norms around love, fidelity, and commitment. The film was shot over a 90-day schedule across various locations in the United States. Anil Mehta served as cinematographer, with music composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy and lyrics by Javed Akhtar.

Released theatrically on 11 August 2006, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. While the film's portrayal of infidelity drew some criticism, it was widely praised for its performances, cinematography, costume design, dialogues, humor, and soundtrack. It emerged as a major commercial success, becoming the fourth highest-grossing Hindi film of the year in India, and at the time, the highest-grossing Indian film overseas, with a global gross of ₹1.13 billion (US$37 million).[4][6] It was released in over 1,200 cinemas across more than 20 countries—one of the widest releases for a Bollywood film at the time[7]—and was screened at the 31st Toronto International Film Festival and the 19th Tokyo International Film Festival, further expanding its global recognition.[8][9]

A recipient of several accolades, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna led the 52nd Filmfare Awards with 23 nominations, including Best Film, Best Director (for Johar), Best Actor (for Khan), Best Actress (for Mukherji) and Best Supporting Actress (for Zinta), and won Best Supporting Actor (for Abhishek Bachchan).[10] Over the years, the film has been retrospectively recognized for its progressive themes and is frequently cited in discussions about the depiction of complex relationships in Indian cinema.[11][12][13]

Plot

[edit]

Dev Saran is a professional soccer player in New York City, living with his wife Rhea, young son Arjun, and his widowed mother Kamaljit ("Kamal"). Maya is a schoolteacher and orphan who is about to marry her closest friend, Rishi Talwar. The two were raised by Rishi’s father, Samarjit ("Sam"), a wealthy and flamboyant man. Moments before Maya’s wedding, she meets Dev by chance. Although strangers, they share a deep and immediate connection. Shortly after their meeting, Dev is hit by a car and suffers a leg injury that ends his athletic career.

Four years later, Dev is bitter and resentful, frustrated by his inability to play soccer and insecure about Rhea’s successful career as a fashion magazine editor. He now works as a junior soccer coach and struggles to connect with his son. Meanwhile, Maya remains emotionally distant from Rishi and is burdened by infertility and her dissatisfaction with their marriage. Dev and Maya meet again and reconnect. As Rhea and Rishi begin a professional friendship, Dev and Maya develop a bond through shared marital struggles. They attempt to help each other fix their respective marriages, but their efforts fail.

As they spend more time together, Dev and Maya acknowledge their growing feelings. On their wedding anniversary, Rhea reveals she was offered a promotion that would require relocating to London. Dev, assuming she accepted the job, accuses her of being self-centered, unaware that she had declined it for the sake of their family. Rhea retaliates by pointing out Dev’s bitterness and failure to contribute to their marriage. At the same time, Rishi confronts Maya over her emotional coldness and inability to have children, leaving her feeling unloved and inadequate.

Distraught, Dev and Maya meet at a train station and confess that they have fallen in love. They begin an affair, though guilt plagues them as Rhea and Rishi make efforts to mend their marriages. Eventually, Dev and Maya consummate their relationship but are discovered by Sam and Kamal. That same night, Sam suffers a fatal heart attack. Before dying, he urges Maya to pursue true happiness, even if it means leaving Rishi.

Shaken by Sam’s death, Dev and Maya agree to end their relationship and confess the truth to their spouses. Rhea and Rishi, devastated, choose to divorce them. Rhea allows Kamal to continue living with her and Arjun, despite the separation. Dev and Maya part ways, lying to each other that they are moving on. Maya relocates to Philadelphia, and both remain alone and heartbroken.

Three years later, Rishi visits Maya and reveals that he has forgiven her and is remarrying. He invites her to his wedding, where Rhea is also present with her new partner, Jai. Rhea confronts Maya and confirms that she left Dev after learning the full truth. Encouraged by Rhea and Rishi, Maya learns that Dev is leaving for Toronto and rushes to the train station to find him. Dev sees her but avoids her, believing she is still with Rishi. However, after noticing her tears as the train departs, he pulls the emergency brake and returns. The two reunite and embrace.

In a voiceover, Dev reflects that while he and Maya eventually found happiness together, they continue to carry the guilt of the pain they caused along the way.

Cast

[edit]
  • Amitabh Bachchan as Samarjit "Sam" Talwar: Rishi's father; Maya's adoptive father and former father-in-law
  • Shah Rukh Khan as Dev Saran: Kamaljit's son; Rhea's ex-husband; Arjun's father; Maya's lover
  • Abhishek Bachchan as Rishi Talwar: Samarjit's son; Maya's former husband; Catherine's husband
  • Rani Mukherji as Maya Talwar: Samarjit's adoptive daughter and former daughter-in-law; Rishi's former wife; Dev's lover
  • Preity Zinta as Rhea Saran: Dev's former wife; Arjun's mother; Kamaljit's former daughter-in-law; Jai's colleague and eventual girlfriend
  • Kirron Kher as Kamaljit "Kamal" Saran: Dev's mother; Arjun's grandmother; Rhea's former mother-in-law
  • Ahsaas Channa as Arjun Saran: Dev and Rhea's son; Kamaljit's grandson
  • Arjun Rampal as Jai Mehra: Rhea's boss and eventual boyfriend
  • Saira Mohan as Catherine Talwar: Rishi's second wife; Jai and Rhea's friend
  • Kajol in a cameo appearance in the song "Rock 'N' Roll Soniye"
  • John Abraham in a cameo appearance as the DJ in the song "Where's The Party Tonight?"
  • Karan Johar in a cameo appearance as a train passenger
  • Ayan Mukerji in a cameo appearance as a train passenger in the song "Tumhi Dekho Naa"
  • Tarun Mansukhani in an uncredited cameo appearance as Rishi's colleague and friend

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

The title Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna was inspired by a lyric from the Kishore Kumar song “Chalte Chalte Mere Yeh Geet Yaad Rakhna” from the 1976 film Chalte Chalte.[14]

The film was written and directed by Karan Johar, who developed the story in collaboration with screenwriter Shibani Bathija. The dialogues were penned by Niranjan Iyengar.[15]

Johar drew inspiration for the film from various sources, including real-life observations and cinematic influences. He mentioned that witnessing a married couple part ways amicably in London, his own experiences with heartbreak, and the film Before Sunset (2004) influenced his desire to explore complex aspects of love and relationships in this narrative.[16][17]​

The project was produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, making her debut as a producer under the Dharma Productions banner. Long-time collaborators Farah Khan (choreography), Manish Malhotra (costume design), and Sharmishta Roy (production design) were brought on board to shape the film’s visual and musical presentation, continuing their creative association with Johar. MAC Cosmetics also contributed significantly to the film’s look, particularly in makeup and styling design.[18]

Continuing a trend from Johar’s earlier works—Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001) and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)—the film features a four-word title beginning with the letter “K.”[19]

Casting

[edit]
The film starred Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, and Abhishek Bachchan in lead roles.

Director Karan Johar initially intended to cast Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukherji, and Ajay Devgn in the principal roles of Dev, Maya, Rhea, and Rishi, respectively.[20] However, both Devgn and Saif Ali Khan declined the film due to their prior commitments to Vishal Bhardwaj's Omkara (2006), in which they played leading roles. Saif had previously collaborated with Johar on Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). Johar subsequently cast Abhishek Bachchan as Rishi after being impressed by his performance in Yuva (2004), marking Bachchan’s first collaboration with Dharma Productions.[20]

The role of Maya was initially offered to Kajol, which was intended to mark her return to cinema after a five-year hiatus following Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001). She declined the offer, citing both creative and scheduling reasons. In an interview with India Today, it was reported that Kajol chose to work on Yash Raj Films's Fanaa (2006) instead, as she found the female lead more compelling.[21] Additionally, in an episode of Koffee with Karan, Kajol expressed her reservations about the film’s portrayal of extramarital relationships, stating: “Yes, there were some points I disagreed with. As a woman... I feel when you get married, you should want to work on it.”[22] Despite declining the lead role, she made a special appearance in the song “Rock 'N' Roll Soniye.”

Following Kajol’s departure, Mukerji—originally cast as Rhea—was recast in the role of Maya. Mukerji later described the film as “a turning point” in her life.[23] Known for her energetic on-screen presence, Zinta saw the emotionally restrained role as a departure from her previous characters, remarking Preity Zinta was brought in to play Rhea, describing the part as a deliberate departure from her typically vivacious screen persona. “I play this cold woman,” she remarked in an interview, “which wasn’t easy for a warm person like me to do.”[24] Before Zinta’s casting, Ameesha Patel had also been considered for the role but turned it down due to scheduling conflicts.

Amitabh Bachchan and Kirron Kher were cast as Samarjit ("Sam"), Rishi’s father, and Kamaljit ("Kamal"), Dev’s mother, respectively. Arjun Rampal was cast as Jai Mehra, Rhea’s boss, replacing earlier considerations for John Abraham. Abraham was later featured in a cameo as a DJ in the song “Where’s the Party Tonight?” Director Tarun Mansukhani also made a cameo appearance as one of Rishi's friends.[25]

The role of Dev and Rhea’s young son, Arjun, was portrayed by Ahsaas Channa, a female child actor known for convincingly playing young boys in earlier projects. The decision was considered unconventional, but her performance was well received.[26]

Riteish Deshmukh and Aryan Khan, Shah Rukh Khan’s son, were also filmed in cameo appearances, though both scenes were removed during final editing. Additionally, both Johar and his assistant director Ayan Mukerji appeared briefly on screen—Johar in the film’s final train sequence behind Khan, and Mukerji during the “Tumhi Dekho Naa” montage, wearing a green sweater and carrying gift boxes, filling in due to a shortage of background extras.[27][28]

Notably, the primary cast—excluding Abhishek Bachchan—had previously worked together in Yash Chopra's Veer-Zaara (2004).[29][30]

Filming

[edit]
A major portion of the film was shot at the Union Station in New Haven

Although Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna is set in New York City, a significant portion of the film was shot in the United States, primarily in Connecticut. Key scenes were filmed in East Hartford and New Haven, including a soccer game sequence at Rentschler Field, home to the UConn Huskies football team, with the stadium's "UConn" logo visible in several shots. Scenes intended to depict Grand Central Terminal were filmed at New Haven's Union Station and Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station. The film was completed over a 90-day shooting schedule in the U.S., while additional scenes were filmed on four large sets constructed at Mumbai studios. During the U.S. shoot, Rani Mukerji reportedly suffered from a severe skin allergy due to extreme weather conditions.[31]

One of the most challenging sequences to film was the song “Tumhi Dekho Naa,” which was shot across several iconic locations in and around New York City. Each color-themed segment corresponded to a specific location: blue at Columbia University, yellow at Wall Street, orange at Bear Mountain State Park, pink at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, red at Pier A Park in Hoboken, and green at Union Station in New Haven. The red segment was originally intended to feature rainfall created by artificial rain machines, but low temperatures caused the water droplets to freeze mid-air, posing safety risks. As a workaround, the sequence was filmed on a sunny day using the 200 red umbrellas already prepared for the scene. Similarly, the green segment encountered challenges when only 15 of the 200 hired background extras arrived, prompting crew members to step in for the missing extras.[28]

The freezing temperatures during the New York schedule caused further complications. During the same song, temperatures dropped to –14°C (7°F), causing significant discomfort for Mukerji, who was dressed in a chiffon saree. The conditions were so harsh that she was unable to walk unassisted and had to be carried to her vehicle by a crew member.[32] Despite these challenges, director Karan Johar continued the shoot as planned, making only minor adjustments to ensure safety.

Due to scheduling conflicts, Johar was unavailable during the filming of a pivotal hotel scene and asked Shah Rukh Khan to direct it in his absence. Initially reluctant, Khan completed the scene after seeking guidance over the phone from Amitabh Bachchan.[33]

Themes and influence

[edit]

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna delves into complex themes such as marital infidelity, emotional dissatisfaction, and the intricacies of human relationships. The narrative centers on Dev and Maya, both trapped in unfulfilling marriages, who find solace and love in each other, leading to an extramarital affair. The film examines the idea of meeting one's soulmate after marriage and the profound impact such relationships can have on families and personal identities.[34]

Director Karan Johar drew inspiration for the film from a real-life incident he witnessed in London, where a couple amicably ended their marriage. This event, combined with the thematic elements of Richard Linklater's Before Sunset (2004), motivated Johar to explore the deeper dynamics of love, commitment, and the consequences of choices made in relationships.[15]

Johar has addressed criticisms suggesting that the film glorifies infidelity. He clarified that the intention was not to endorse extramarital affairs but to portray the emotional turmoil and consequences that arise from such situations. In interviews, he emphasized that the film reflects the complexities of modern relationships and the importance of understanding one's emotional needs.[35][36]

The film's exploration of infidelity aligns it with earlier works like Yash Chopra's Silsila (1981) and Mahesh Bhatt's Arth (1982), both of which tackled similar themes. Additionally, Mike Nichols' Closer (2004) and Johar's own production Gehraiyaan (2022), directed by Shakun Batra, have been noted for their examination of complex romantic relationships and the moral ambiguities involved.[37]

Soundtrack

[edit]
Main article: Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (soundtrack album)

The soundtrack of Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna was composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, with lyrics by Javed Akhtar.[38][39] It marked their second collaboration with director Karan Johar after Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). The soundtrack was released in the United Kingdom on 12 June 2006 and officially launched in India on 16 June 2006 during the 7th IIFA Awards in Dubai.[40][41]

Charts and sales

[edit]

Upon release, the album debuted at number one on Indian music charts and remained at the top position for ten consecutive weeks. It faced strong competition from other notable soundtracks, including Fanaa, Krrish, and Gangster: A Love Story. According to Box Office India, the album sold approximately 1.9 million units, making it the second highest-selling Bollywood soundtrack of 2006, behind only Dhoom 2.[42][43]

Release

[edit]

The teaser trailer for Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna was unveiled alongside the theatrical release of Fanaa on 26 May 2006, as part of the film’s promotional campaign.[44] The film premiered globally on 11 August 2006 and was released across more than 1,200 screens worldwide, marking one of the widest international releases for a Hindi-language film at the time.[7]

In the United States, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) initially assigned the film an R rating for strong language and sexual content. Upon appeal, the rating was revised to PG-13.

Reception

[edit]

Critical reception

[edit]

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna received mixed-to-positive reviews both in India and internationally, with critics praising its performances, emotional complexity, and bold narrative choices, though some found its excessive runtime and melodramatic tone a drawback.

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna holds an approval rating of 58% based on 12 reviews, with an average rating yet to be published. The site's critical consensus reads: "Though ambitious in its attempt to explore infidelity and emotional isolation, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna is weighed down by its excessive runtime and melodramatic execution."[45] On IMDb, the film holds a rating of 6.1/10 based on over 23,000 user reviews.[46]

Taran Adarsh from Bollywood Hungama described Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’s subject matter as a delicate one that could have easily been mishandled, and praised Karan Johar for boldly constructing a complex narrative around it, calling the film his "finest work to date." Adarsh commended the screenplay’s ability to contrast emotional extremes, stating that "the screenplay balances the two extremes; light moments and dollops of emotions with amazing ease." He also lauded the ensemble cast, emphasizing the effectiveness of the casting and the chemistry among the performers. He concluded his review by awarding the film 4.5 out of 5 stars.[47]

Rajeev Masand of IBNLive gave Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna 4 out of 5 stars praising the screenplay and Johar's direction, saying "Few writers have such solid control over their screenplay as Johar does. Few understand the intricacies of narrative as well as he does. Johar goes from highs to lows, from plateaus to peaks with the ease of a pro. He knows exactly how to turn a seemingly ordinary scene into something special with just that one line of dialogue, or that hint of background music."[48]

Baradwaj Rangan described Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna as "too long, too weepy," yet acknowledged it as "the meatiest romantic melodrama in a while." He praised Johar’s subversion of formulaic storytelling, noting, "Dev and Maya are portrayed as less charismatic, less fun, more whiny and weepy than the supporting characters… and that’s just one of the ways KANK messes with your expectations."[49]

Nowrunning commended the film’s bold narrative on extramarital affairs, appreciating its departure from Johar’s earlier family-centric works. The review praised the film’s visual elegance, strong ensemble cast, and the director’s sensitive handling of mature themes, remarking that it was “unafraid to show uncomfortable truths.”[50]

BollySpice retrospectively regarded Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna as one of Johar’s most introspective works, lauding its effort to move beyond conventional romance. The review praised the film’s “bold emotional honesty” and said it “redefined the vocabulary of heartbreak in Hindi cinema.”[51]

Lokvani praised the film’s writing, performances, and emotional range. The review emphasized the film’s ability to blend light-hearted moments with emotional turmoil, calling it "a progressive and layered take on modern relationships rarely seen in Bollywood."[52]

Kaveree Bamzai of India Today felt Johar lost his signature balance between emotional depth and levity, stating, "Johar has lost the balance he has always maintained between pulling the heartstrings and making audiences laugh," and observed that the film leaned too heavily into melodrama, affecting its overall resonance.[53]

Raja Sen of Rediff.com was particularly critical of the film, also expressing dissatisfaction with its length. He remarked, "I feel older. A showing of Johar's mammoth 22-reel Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna has left me unbelievably exhausted. I walked out of the hall feeling my cheeks for stubble, wondering if my clothes are suddenly dated and my hair's turned grey. I've lost a sizable chunk of my life, and you will too."[54] Unlike other critics, he identified flaws in the script and criticized the strength of characters saying "The characters are cardboard, the setting is glitzy, the songs are tiresome, and the story oscillates between high melodrama and slapstick hilarity, going nowhere. Rarely has a weak script relied so completely on pretty people with big names to carry every line through".[54]

Neil Genzlinger of The New York Times emphasized the larger-than-life nature of the film, remarking that, "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna is full of big Bollywood stars and out-sized everything: the rainstorms are a little rainier than real life; the wind machines are cranked up an extra notch; the close-ups get closer and linger longer than usual; the coincidences that drive the plot are a little more numerous and unlikely than normal screenwriting allows". He praised the humor in the script and the director's comic timing in certain scenes such as the children's soccer match, the bed store, and at the ballet show.[55]

Derek Elley of Variety also praised the diversity of emotions displayed by the cast, remarking that, "Scripter Shibani Bathija never lets her characters inhabit a secure emotional place for very long, and impediments to happiness come from their own weaknesses rather than social constraints or plot-generated misunderstandings". Elley noted Amitabh Bachchan's performance as an ageing lothario and praised Preity Zinta as "stepping far beyond her makeup".[56]

The Austin Chronicle noted Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’s nuanced portrayal of forbidden love and emotional displacement, describing it as a "slow and elegant descent into the kind of emotional tumult that’s almost never addressed in mainstream cinema." The review commended Johar for taking a bold narrative risk by focusing on emotional betrayal within marriage, rather than external conflict, and praised the film for "eschewing formulaic melodrama in favor of internal struggle and personal dilemmas." It also highlighted the film’s subdued pace and visual restraint as deliberate choices reflecting the emotional suffocation of its protagonists.[57]

Box office

[edit]

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna was released on 11 August 2006 across more than 1,200 screens worldwide.[7] The film opened to strong box office results, registering a record opening in several Indian cities and grossing approximately ₹27.85 crore in its first week in India. Although it is currently Karan Johar’s lowest-grossing film in India in terms of net domestic collections (unadjusted for inflation), it ranked as the fourth highest-grossing Hindi film of 2006.[58]

The film performed particularly well in overseas markets. It grossed $10.56 million internationally, making it the third-highest overseas grosser for a Bollywood film as of 2013.[59] During its opening weekend, it earned $1.35 million in the United States and $1.4 million (£750,000) in the United Kingdom.[60] Its total overseas earnings reached $3.27 million in the U.S. and over £5.07 million in the UK. Its success in the U.S. was partly attributed to its unusually wide release in 64 theatres, including cities with smaller Indian populations such as Miami, Tampa, and Raleigh.[61] Upon release, it emerged as the highest-grossing Indian film worldwide, surpassing the five-year record held by Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham....[7]

Globally, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna achieved a total worldwide gross of ₹113 crore ($37 million).[3][6][4] It emerged as the highest-grossing Indian film of the decade in overseas markets.[62][63] When adjusted for inflation, the film continues to rank among the highest-grossing Indian films worldwide.[64]

Accolades

[edit]
Main article: List of accolades received by Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

A recipient of several accolades, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna led the 52nd Filmfare Awards with 23 nominations and won Best Supporting Actor (Abhishek Bachchan). Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna also earned one IIFA Award, two Global Indian Film Awards, one People's Choice Award India, one Screen Award, one Stardust Award, and five Zee Cine Awards.[65][66]

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna was one of India's possible nominations for the 2007 Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, with films such as Rang De Basanti, Krrish, Omkara and Lage Raho Munna Bhai also in the running.[67] However, the country ultimately chose Rang De Basanti as its pick.[68]

Legacy

[edit]

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna remains one of the most popular musical romantic dramas in Hindi cinema. Breaking several Bollywood stereotypes, the film is regarded as bold and brave for exploring themes of marital infidelity. In retrospect, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna is widely regarded as a cult classic and ahead of its time, due to its central theme, storyline, and characterizations.[11][12] It is also considered among the best ensemble cast films by Filmfare.[69] Shubhra Gupta featured the film in her book called ‘‘50 Films That Changed Bollywood’’.[13]

Filmfare noted, "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna was made ahead of its time. The subject and the treatment forced people to sit up and think out of their comfort zone."[70][71] Times of India noted how the film does not "glorify" extra-marital affairs.[72] Firstpost termed the film as Karan Johar's most polarized work as a filmmaker.[73] Film Companion termed it a "compelling and thought-provoking drama" that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on your own relationships.[74] The film remains one of the most notable works of Johar, Khan, Mukherji, Abhishek Bachchan and Zinta.[75][76][77][78] Khan and Mukherji were named in Bollywood Hungama's list of the top 10 best romantic couples of the decade.[79]

Home media and streaming

[edit]

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna was released on DVD on 26 October 2006 by Yash Raj Films. The two-disc set featured Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, optional subtitles in English, Arabic, Malay, Tamil, and Telugu, and included bonus content such as deleted scenes and making-of featurettes.[80] The film was subsequently released on Blu-ray on 18 May 2010. The Blu-ray edition featured a 1080p high-definition transfer, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, and was issued as a region-free release with English and Arabic subtitles.[81]

As of 2025, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna is available for streaming on platforms including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.[82][83]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (12A)". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  2. ^ "A Rs 150 cr question". The Financial Express. 12 February 2006. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna". Box Office India.
  4. ^ a b c Bamzai, Kaveree (30 October 2006). "Bollywood hits overseas box office in 2006". India Today. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  5. ^ "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average)". World Bank. 2006. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  7. ^ a b c d "KANK opens in 1,200 screens". sify.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 24 August 2007.
  8. ^ "KANK, Kabul Express to glow in Toronto". Hindustan Times. 24 August 2006. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  9. ^ Indo-Asian News Service (21 September 2006). "KANK chosen for Tokyo film festival". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  10. ^ Dhirad, Sandeep (2006). "Filmfare Nominees and Winners" (PDF). Filmfare. pp. 116–119. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 October 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  11. ^ a b Sasi, Tusshar (10 August 2016). "'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna': Mainstream Bollywood At Its Bravest Best". Filmy Sasi. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  12. ^ a b "'Silsila,' 'KANK,' 'Gehraiyaan': Reflects Time And Cultural Attitude Towards Relationships And Infidelity". Reelistics Views. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  13. ^ a b "50 FILMS That Changed Bollywood — As Shubhra saw it…". Pickle. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  14. ^ "Bollywood titles: Now a song, now a film". Khaleej Times. IANS. 11 July 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  15. ^ a b "15 years of Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna: How a real-life divorce gave Karan Johar the idea for his 'extremely special' film". Indian Express. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  16. ^ "Karan Johar on 18 years of Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna: The road that I need not have taken, but it was the best decision". OTTPlay. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  17. ^ "Karan Johar on Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna: 'If I could make this film again, I will correct it'". Hindustan Times. 14 January 2024. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  18. ^ "Title track had 18 changes for Rani: Manish Malhotra recalls designing for Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna". Indian Express. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  19. ^ Joshi, Namrata (5 February 2022). "The K. Jo Effect". Outlook India. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  20. ^ a b "15 years of Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna: How a real-life divorce gave Karan Johar the idea for his 'extremely special' film". The Indian Express. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  21. ^ "THROWBACK: When Kajol revealed why she rejected Rani Mukerji's role in Shah Rukh Khan's Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna; 'I just didn't agree…'". PINKVILLA. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  22. ^ "THROWBACK: When Kajol revealed why she rejected Rani Mukerji's role in Shah Rukh Khan's Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna; 'I just didn't agree…'". PINKVILLA. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  23. ^ "Rani Mukerji says Karan Johar's Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna was a turning point in her life. Here's why". India Today. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
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