Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006) - starring Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan in this story of relationships

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna released in the year 2006. Produced by Dharma Productions and directed by Karan Chopra, it marked a serious u-turn in the director’s career as he stayed away from candy floss and tackled a subject as taboo as extramarital affair within the commercial cinema framework. It starred the leading stars of Bolywood, like Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, Abhishek Bachchan and Kirron Kher in pivotal roles.

The film begins with Dev Saran (Shahrukh Khan) a successful football player who is on the verge of signing a major deal with a club. He accidentally bumps into Maya (Rani Mukherjee)- a to be married bride suffering from pre marriage jitters. Dev counsels Rhea and the two connect instantly. They part ways and Maya goes on to marry her childhood friend Rishi Talwar (Abhishek Bachchan). Unbeknownst to Maya, Dev meets with an accident on his way out of the marriage reception that ends his career. Dev is married to Rhea (Preity Zinta) a successful career woman who works with a fashion magazine. After Dev’s accident it falls upon Rhea to support the family.

The duo, Dev and Maya meet after four years courtesy the formers son who studies in Maya’s class. Dev has turned into an embittered man courtesy his own unfulfilled dreams and his wife’s ever increasing success that is hard for his male ego to accept. Maya on the other hand feels unfulfilled in her marriage as she has not been able to fall in love with her husband. She loves Rishi as a friend and is indebted to his father Samarjit, a.k.a Sexy Sam (Amitabh Bachchan) for taking care of her. Dev and Maya realize that their situations are similar and decide to help each other repair their breaking marriages. However things do not turn out as intended as their intense chemistry keeps drawing them to each other. Rishi and Rhea are also fighting for their respective marriages but their efforts are insignificant in the face of Maya and Dev's growing love for each other.

Their clandestine affair comes out in the open when they are caught by Samarjit and Dev’s mother Kamaljeet. Sam unable to accept the fact that his beloved daughter-in-law is cheating on his son suffers a fatal heart attack and as he lies on his death bed, he tells her to leave his son Rishi since neither of them are happy in their marriage. Dev and Maya decide to go back to their respective partners but they come clean about their affair. Rishi and Rhea decide to end their respective marriages. But the two star crossed lovers keep this a secret, each living apart from the other as a form of penance. Three years down the line Maya comes to know the truth and tries to reunite with Dev. The climax of the film sees the lovers finally meeting up and confessing their true feelings.

AWARDS WON

Best Supporting Actor-Abhishek Bachchan-Filmfare Awards.

CAST AND CREW

Directed by Karan Johar
Produced by Hiroo Johar
Written by Karan Johar, Shibani Bathija, Niranjan Iyengar
Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, Abhishek Bachchan, Kirron Kher
Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Cinematography Anil Mehta
Editing by Sanjay Sankla