I am a great admirer of KJ’s ability to blend the kitsch with the sense. He does tend to overdo things a bit when he is on the job but overall he aims for larger than life entertainment value and delivers every time. So all his movies are basically "paisa vasool" films and for that the man needs to be lauded.
About KANK, I have a point to make .
A Reflection of Reality : KJ seems to make films which reflect a certain lifestage. Starting from his first film on college romances to the latest one on broken marriages. I feel KANK is a tru reflection of present times. I just wish that Karan had the courage to base the movie in Mumbai instead of NY and it would have been just as relevant. All this race for the rainbow seems to be gobbling up our men and women ? Indians are markedly ambitious and they will let nothing get into their way - not even their personal lives.
In the movie Preity and Abhishek are both ambitious , driven personlities. Preity’s ambition is further fuelled by her husband’s inability to provide for their family due to certain mishaps. She is a modern, tough cookie who takes the bull by the horns and instead of holding hands with husband Shahrukh launches herself into creating something of a future for themselves.
Same for Abhishek. The poets - Shahrukh and Rani are left to find their own destinies.
Those who live in Mumbai or Delhi will totally understand the conflict that Shahrukh or Rani go through. I personally know at least four couples who are in similar positions... each day is a compromise. KJ had the guts to show it in a mainstream commercial cinema format.
Glamourising Infedility : I think the Indian society is very close to questioning age old institutions like marriage and the society will look very different in the next decade. This movie is a little before its time. It deals with infidelity as a "passe" state. Something my mom will never approve !!!!!!!!!!
I think overall its a must see. I am waiting to see what KJ comes up with next.