Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna


Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, 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 Dharma Productions banner. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta and Kirron Kher. Set primarily in New York City, the narrative explores themes of marital infidelity, emotional dissatisfaction, and dysfunctional relationships, and was promoted with the tagline "A Love... That Broke All Relationships." The film marked a notable departure from Johar’s earlier family-centric dramas, opting for a more controversial storyline.
The film follows Dev and Maya, two individuals in unhappy marriages who have an extramarital affair. Principal photography took place over a 90-day schedule across various locations in the United States, with cinematography by Anil Mehta. The film’s soundtrack was composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, with lyrics by Javed Akhtar.
Released theatrically in India on 11 August 2006, the film received mixed reviews. While its portrayal of infidelity drew criticism, the cinematography, cast performances, costume design, and music were widely praised. The film emerged as the fourth highest-grossing Hindi film of 2006 in India and, at the time, the highest-grossing Indian film in overseas markets, grossing ₹1.13 billion worldwide. The film was released in over 1,200 cinemas across more than 20 countries—one of the widest international releases for a Hindi film at the time—and was screened at the 31st Toronto International Film Festival and the 19th Tokyo International Film Festival.
The film received multiple accolades and led the 52nd Filmfare Awards with 23 nominations, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress, winning Best Supporting Actor for Abhishek Bachchan. Marking his third consecutive award in the category, he became the only actor after Dilip Kumar to hattrick at the Filmfare Awards.

Plot

Dev Saran, a professional soccer player in New York City, lives with his wife Rhea, son Arjun, and widowed mother, Kamaljit. Maya, a schoolteacher and orphan, is preparing to marry her closest friend, Rishi Talwar, who was raised by his wealthy and flamboyant father, Samarjit. On the day of her wedding, Maya meets Dev by chance. Though strangers, they form an immediate emotional connection. As he leaves, Dev is hit by a car, which ends his athletic career.
Four years later, Dev is embittered by his lost career and insecure about Rhea’s growing success as a fashion magazine editor. He works as a junior soccer coach but struggles to bond with Arjun, who would rather play the violin. Maya feels emotionally disconnected from Rishi, viewing him as a child, and struggles with her infertility. After Sam and Kamal befriend each other, Dev and Maya reconnect and develop a friendship based on shared marital frustrations. As Rhea and Rishi begin working together, Dev and Maya grow closer and attempt to repair their marriages, but without success. Their relationship intensifies.
After the couple's anniversary dinners, things come to a head. Rhea reveals she was offered a promotion in London and Dev, assuming she accepted it, accuses her of being self-centered and showing off. Hurt, Rhea reveals she turned it down for the sake of their family and confronts Dev over his resentment and detachment. Meanwhile, Rishi expresses frustration with Maya’s emotional distance and inability to have children.
Dev and Maya meet at a train station and confess their love. They begin an affair but struggle with guilt as their spouses try to save their marriages. Their secret is exposed when Sam and Kamal discover them in an embrace. That night, Sam suffers a fatal heart attack. On his deathbed, he urges Maya to leave Rishi so they can both pursue happiness. After Sam’s death, Dev and Maya decide to end their affair and go back to their spouses, but first they must confess to them the truth about their extramarital affairs that they have been hiding for so long because neither of them will be able to move on in the shadow of lies. Shocked, Rhea and Rishi divorce their spouses, although Rhea allows Kamal to stay with her and Arjun. Dev and Maya part ways, each pretending to have moved on, as Maya relocates to Philadelphia. Rhea is happy with Arjun, while Dev, Maya, and Rishi remain alone and depressed.
Three years later, Rishi visits Maya, revealing that he has forgiven her and is remarrying. At his wedding, Maya encounters Rhea, who is now dating her boss, Jai. Rhea and Rishi encourage Maya to find Dev. Learning he is leaving for Toronto, she rushes to the train station. Dev sees her but avoids contact, believing she is still with Rishi. As the train departs, however, he notices Maya's tears, pulls the emergency brake, and they reconcile. In a closing voiceover, Dev reflects that although he and Maya found happiness together, they continue to carry the guilt of the pain they caused along the way.

Cast

  • Shah Rukh Khan as Dev Saran – Rhea’s husband, Arjun’s father, and Kamaljit’s son.
  • Amitabh Bachchan as Samarjit "Sam" Talwar – Rishi’s father and Maya’s father-in-law and adoptive father.
  • Abhishek Bachchan as Rishi Talwar – Maya’s husband and adoptive brother, and Samarjit's son
  • Rani Mukerji as Maya Talwar – Rishi’s wife and Samarjit’s daughter-in-law and adoptive daughter
  • Preity Zinta as Rhea Saran – Dev’s wife, Arjun’s mother, and Kamaljit’s daughter-in-law.
  • Kirron Kher as Kamaljit "Kamal" Saran – Dev’s mother, Rhea's mother-in-law, and Arjun’s grandmother.
  • Ahsaas Channa as Arjun Saran – Dev and Rhea's son and Kamaljit's grandson.
  • Arjun Rampal as Jai Mehra – Rhea’s boss.
  • Saira Mohan as Catherine Talwar – Rishi's colleague and second wife, and Rhea and Jai's friend.

    Cameo appearances

  • Kajol in a special appearance in the song "Rock 'N' Roll Soniye".
  • John Abraham as a DJ in the song "Where’s The Party Tonight?".
  • Karan Johar as a train passenger in the final sequence.
  • Ayan Mukerji as a train passenger in the song "Tumhi Dekho Naa".
  • Tarun Mansukhani as Rishi’s colleague.

    Production

Development

Initially titled Kalank, the film was eventually renamed after the lyric “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” from the Kishore Kumar song “Chalte Chalte Mere Yeh Geet Yaad Rakhna” featured in the 1976 film Chalte Chalte. This title was also considered for Kal Ho Naa Ho back in 2003.
The film was written and directed by Karan Johar, who developed the story in collaboration with screenwriter Shibani Bathija. Dialogues were penned by Niranjan Iyengar.
Johar drew inspiration from real-life experiences and cinematic influences. He cited witnessing a married couple part amicably at a London café, his own emotional setbacks, and the Richard Linklater film Before Sunset as key triggers that shaped the story’s emotional depth and unconventional premise.
The project was produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, marking her debut as a producer under the Dharma Productions banner. Long-time collaborators Farah Khan, Manish Malhotra, and Sharmishta Roy returned to shape the film’s visual aesthetic, continuing their creative association with Johar. MAC Cosmetics contributed significantly to the styling and makeup for the principal cast.
Continuing a trend seen in Johar’s previous works—Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Kal Ho Naa Ho —the film featured a four-word title beginning with the letter “K.”

Casting

Director Karan Johar initially intended to cast Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukerji, and Ajay Devgn in the principal roles of Dev, Maya, Rhea, and Rishi, respectively. However, both Devgn and Saif Ali Khan declined the film due to their prior commitments to Vishal Bhardwaj's Omkara, in which they played leading roles. Saif had previously collaborated with Johar on Kal Ho Naa Ho after Salman Khan refused the role of Rohit because of not wishing to "play second fiddle". Johar subsequently cast Abhishek Bachchan as Rishi after being impressed by his performance in Yuva, marking Bachchan’s first official collaboration with Dharma Productions after originally shooting for a cameo scene in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham which was later edited out of the film.
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. She declined the part due to creative disagreements and a prior commitment to Yash Raj Films' Fanaa, which she found more compelling. In an episode of Koffee with Karan, Kajol also expressed discomfort with the film’s treatment 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.” Despite turning down the role, she made a cameo appearance in the song “Rock 'N' Roll Soniye.”
Following Kajol’s departure, Mukerji—originally cast as Rhea—was recast in the role of Maya, which she later described as “a turning point” in her life. Preity Zinta—who had previously collaborated with Johar on Kal Ho Naa Ho after Kareena Kapoor refused the role of Naina due to a salary dispute with Johar—was subsequently brought in to portray Rhea, describing the role as a deliberate shift from her typically vivacious screen image: “I play this cold woman,” she explained, “which wasn’t easy for a warm person like me to do.” Ameesha Patel was also considered for the role but declined due to scheduling conflicts.
Amitabh Bachchan and Kirron Kher were cast as Samarjit, Rishi’s father, and Kamaljit, 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.
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.
Riteish Deshmukh and Aryan Khan, Shah Rukh Khan’s son, filmed cameo appearances that were ultimately removed during editing. Additionally, both Johar and his assistant director Ayan Mukerji appeared briefly on screen—Johar in the film’s final train sequence seated behind Shah Rukh Khan, and Mukerji in the “Tumhi Dekho Naa” montage, where he stepped in as an extra due to a shortage of background performers. He appears wearing a green sweater and carrying gift boxes.
Notably, the principal cast—excluding Abhishek Bachchan—had previously worked together in Yash Chopra's Veer-Zaara.