March 13, 2005
Bollywood Film Review: Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
Rating: A-
Strengths:
- Quality cast
- Excellent music and song sequences
- Moving story that's complex but thankfully light on the sub-plots
Weaknesses:
- Salman Kahn is always a negative in my book, but at least he doesn't get the girl
- Silly, overly-bright clothing and cheesy "modern" songs in the college flashback
- Johnny Lever is never a good addition to any film; he's a secondary character in every other Bollywood film out there but he only knows how to overact and be annoying
You can get mp3's of all the songs at bollyfm.net
This is another classic film produced by Yash Johar and his son, Karan Johar (they also worked together on Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Gham and Kal Ho Naa Ho.) Much more modern and openly campy than all the films I've reviewed so far (yes, even more so than Chori Chori Chupke Chupke), this film is fun to watch for its almost riduculous depiction of early 90's fashions, its compelling story and sympathetic characters (due mainly to its top-notch cast), and the some of the catchiest songs you've ever heard in your life... it also holds the distinction of having the most tear-jerking opening scene of any Bollywood I've seen.
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (which translates to "Somethin' Happens" or "Something is Happening," but a reliable translation isn't available) is the story of bestest college friends, too-cool-for-school Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) and tomboyish Anjali (Kajol) and what happens when ladylike, beautiful and "more hindustani" Tina (Rani Mukherjee) steals Rahul's heart just as Anjali realizes that she loves Rahul. Poor Anjali. However, years later, Rahul and Anjali meet again and Rahul sees his chance to win her back. Naturally, older Anjali is engaged (to the icky Salman Kahn), but once you've seen one ancillary fiance/suitor in a Bollywood film you can spot the fool from a mile away.
Can Anjali marry a man she doesn't love?
I like that this film uses the classic flash-back technique to explain Rahul and Anjali's love story in a way that really makes you want them to get together, rather than just expecting you to believe the guy deserves the girl just because he's THE guy (see Devdas and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam).
Rockin' the 90's gear while singing Koi Mil Gaya
Although the story if fairly simple, it's interesting and moving, the "grown-up" Anjali has great outfits and the songs are great. Anjali's engagement scene has one of my favorite film songs of all time, Saajanji Ghar Aaye,(despite the fact that Salman's character "sings" in it) because it's more traditional, has a great beat and has a way of getting stuck in your head, and the title song, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is insidiously catchy and the song sequence is set in some gorgeous Scottish ruins. I think what I really like about Bollywood music like this is that it's "popular" in that its tough to not like or remember, but doesn't seem as sullied by commercialism or appealing to the lowest common denominator as American pop music. Another popular aspect of this film is that you can watch it again and again, but be equally entertained every time because it's just so enjoyable.
