When Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna released in 2006, it arrived as one of Karan Johar’s most daring and emotionally complex films. Set against the backdrop of New York City, the film ventured into territory Hindi
cinema had traditionally approached with caution: the lives of two unhappy married couples, the emotional vacuum within marriages, and the human longing for companionship beyond socially accepted boundaries. At a recent event, Karan Johar revealed how the film took an emotional toll on its cast.
At the heart of the film are Dev (Shah Rukh Khan), who is married to Rhea (Preity Zinta) and Maya (Rani Mukerji), who is married to Rishi (Abhishek Bachchan). Dev and Maya are bound by marriages that leave them unfulfilled. Their chance encounter leads to unexpected emotional intimacy, drawing them into a connection that is both healing and morally conflicted. Karan Johar portrays their growing bond not as a scandal but as a consequence of emotional neglect, vulnerability, and unmet expectations.
Karan Johar has now revealed that it was hard for Preity Zinta to grasp why Shah Rukh Khan’s character would cheat on a woman like her. Karan Johar said, “She was getting very personal… I had taken her aside, and we went for a walk. I said, ‘It’s not Preity Zinta. This is Rhea. It’s happening to her.'” Preity was not the only one who was affected by the film’s heavy plot.
Karan Johar continued, “I remember, at one point, Abhishek broke down… remember there was an emotional scene? I remember he broke down. There were moments when I could just see you (Rani) looking sullen and sad. I realised that everyone was going through beats in their heads because the film talks about ground realities and emotional realities… things that people go through but don’t like to address… It was a very tumultuous experience.”
Upon release, the film polarised audiences. Some praised its bravery and emotional depth, while others criticised its storyline for challenging conservative ideas of marriage and fidelity. Yet, its cultural impact is undeniable. Years later, KANK is recognised as one of Bollywood’s earliest mainstream attempts at dissecting marital breakdown with honesty and sensitivity.
