So, we have failed footballer Dev Saran (Shah Rukh Khan ), resentful towards fashionista wife Rhea (Preity Zinta ), simply because she's a success. Instead, he tries straddling both worlds - imagine the unforgettable Amitabh-Rekha-Jaya story set in New York to a laugh track. Infidelity is a tough subject to broach, but Karan opts for neither the compelling emotional complexity of a Silsila nor the cheeky nonsense of a Masti. Please forget the Closer rumours right now. It would, if only he'd let go of his glossy fun roots. The KANK gang deals with infidelity, with broken marriages standing in the way of true love - it is a tremendous departure from the happy-joy world the director has dealt with so far, but he can handle melodrama and undeniably make women weep, so perhaps this step made sense. Similarly, Karan, the popcorn populist we all rather enjoy, has decided to turn to a deeper, darker subject. Not content to merely shake their booty in our glad faces, the well-built lasses suddenly bring out the dupattas and nurse deluded dreams of acting talent, resulting in much audience grief. Tragically, Johar too seems struck by the 'Substance Syndrome', something that usually affects item girls. Indulgently, a nicely-packaged treat, never mind extra desi ghee. Johar's films are bright and cheery, all merriness and overdone cliches as wholesome as besan ka ladoo.

He has manufactured dreams in wonderful abundance, right from the frothy Kuch Kuch Hota Hai straight out of Archie comics, to Kal Ho Naa Ho, a rom-com Julia Roberts wouldn't have looked out of place in. Because Karan Johar, God bless his soul, has never been about meaning. Yes, I've lost a sizeable chunk of my life, and you will too. It is a saga that stretches on and on - imagine, if you will, a Balaji Telefilms soap running for several seasons, time leaps and all. I walk out of the hall feeling my cheeks for stubble, wondering if my clothes are suddenly dated and my hair's grey.įor this is no ordinary 3.5-hour film. A showing of Karan Johar's mammoth 22-reel Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna has left me unbelievably exhausted.

Kabhi alvida naa kehna