Writer: Brian J. Chong

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Watch this if you liked: "Kuch Kuch Hota Hei", "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham", "Mohabbatein"

In this beautifully made film, Karan Johar once again tells an outstanding love story set in the busy city of New York in the United States. "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna", is the third movie directed by Johar in which the titles have four words and begin with the letter K ("Kuch Kuch Hota Hei", "Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham"). Shah Rukh Khan stars in all three.

Our story begins in New York City where up-a-oming football star Dev Saran (Khan) crosses paths with the confused soon-to-be Mrs Maya Talwar (Mukerji). Dev, who is already married and has a child advises Maya that everlasting love is only found in stories and that she should proceed with her wedding before its too late. Dev is married to Rhea (Zinta), whose new career with a fashion magazine is also blossoming. But both Dev's and Maya's lives change on the day that they met, as Maya went on to marry her childhood friend Rishi (Abhishek Bachchan), and Dev gets knocked down by a car as he crosses a road while leaving the place where they met.

Fast forward four years later, we see Dev permanently injured from that car accident. He has become an angry and bitter man. No longer playing football professionally, he now coaches a children's team. Rhea is now the chief of her magazine, which is selling like hot cakes, and is never around with her husband and child. On the other hand, Rishi and Maya's marriage is fine, albeit lacking in passion on Maya's part.

But where does Amitabh Bachchan stand in all of this you may ask? Amitabh plays Rishi's father Samarjit (aka Sam), an over-the-hill playboy who just wants to have fun. As Rishi is played by his real son Abhishek, their interactions in the film are priceless. All the actors in this film are excellent. Where the film needed laughter, the actors delivered. Where the film needed tender moments, the actors delivered. Where the film needed serious moments, the actors delivered too.

The theme of the movie is about finding true love. It is also about reassessing the foundations of matrimony. There are many funny moments as well as sad ones. Bringing in a realistic look at marriage, the film gets us thinking about our own relationships.

Clocking in at 3 hours 15 minutes, this film was not at all boring or slow. The pacing is perfect as it gives all the protagonists enough air time to develop their characters into memorable ones. The chemistry between the entire cast is excellent, although the pairing of Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji seemed a little off. Still, that didn't matter as their acting skills overshadow that flaw.

The New York setting and the use of English language makes this film appealing to ALL audiences. I recommend this film to the non-Bollywood fans as well.

Truly a masterpiece, this Bollywood offering shows that the Indian movie industry is still thriving. Definitely a 'must watch' for everyone who is in or out of love.

Cinema Online, 23 September 2008