My experience with this movie was as a newbie to Bollywood. I had no idea what Bollywood was about besides a vague idea that it was the supposed Indian version of Hollywood and that there would be singing and dancing.
One of my best friends insisted that I watch this movie, which was on a video subtitled in Malaysian. I don’t understand Hindi and I don’t read Malay, so my friend sat with me and translated the whole thing in english as she watched.
I loved it.
This movie is shamelessly romantic, beautifully sentimental and I suspect consciously cheesy. From the opening dances where the male hero (sorry, I watched this long ago and forget almost everybody’s name) dances around in sunnies to the closing, tear-jerking and predictable ending, this movie is thoroughly enjoyable.
The story is the age old cliche- childhood best friends grow up together- the tomboy girl falls in love with her best friend, but he falls for a beautiful girl instead. Years pass, during which time the tomboy becomes a swan, and circumstances again throw the two friends into each other’s paths.
When you have to work with a cliche like this, you’d better make sure the actors are exuberant, that there is chemistry between the leads and that you swing your viewers into moments of helpless laughter between the emotional moments. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai does this superbly. You must watch this with a tongue in your cheek - cynics should stay away, but for anybody willing to release their inner romantic- or child, this movie is a pure delight.
I laughed with embarrassment, cried in sympathy and loved right along with the characters. You do end up caring for all parties in this. I can’t rate the quality of the songs or dancing (due to my limited exposure to Bollywood films), but they’re rhythmic and catchy. The leads are stunning and completely believable (well, the male lead is a little hard to view as a teenager, but he gets points for trying). The story is touching and will resonate strongly for those who’ve suffered unrequited love or a crush on a friend you love too dearly to risk losing if you declare your crush.
There are no surprises in the plot, but you’ll like the characters enough to stay with them until they reach the inevitable conclusion.
Though it’s a little slow in the beginning and abrupt at the end, this movie is just lovable. Again, cynics and those looking for intellectual or moral conundrums should stay away- everybody else willing to put on their silly hat will have fun watching this. Curl up with someone you love (your lover, sibling, friend, dog or your teddy) and enjoy!