Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
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Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is a romantic Bollywood movie -- with mostly Hindi dialogue and English subtitles -- that has occasional bad language and some stereotypical portrayals. It centers on the romance between two former college sweethearts, Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) and Anjali (Kajol), who are reunited by Rahul's young daughter. There is some kissing and flirtation, as well as intimate moments between characters during songs. There is the death of a wife and mother, who reappears as a ghost, although these scenes are not played for scares. In terms of the language, "s--t" is used a number of times. The film is largely set in a college and includes bright fashions and lots of fun, colorful musical numbers, as well as more romantic songs. Brand names are featured quite heavily on clothing and other items, but not directly referenced by characters. Some characters are cliched, such as a ladies' man and a "tomboy," but most are given kind qualities and some complexity as well. Though the running time is almost three hours, the pace still feels energetic and humorous touches help keep the tone light for much of the film.
What's the Story?
In KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI, after reading a letter from her late mother, eight-year-old Anjali (Sana Saeed) sets her mind on reuniting her father, Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan), with his college sweetheart. But have their feelings changed after all these years?
Is It Any Good?
Full of energy, humor, and a lot of heart, this 1990s Bollywood drama takes some traditional elements and merges them with a more modern college setting for a sweet, if not wildly original tale. There are stereotypical aspects to some of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai's characters, while some are played entirely for laughs. But there is enough complexity amid the three leads to maintain interest and enjoyment through the nearly three-hour running time.
Musical numbers bring humor into some dances, while others enjoy the soft-focus romantic moments of more classical Bollywood fare, full of breathy suggestion but not too much overt sexuality. There are some genuinely touching moments, particularly between father and daughter, and a likability to most characters -- even those being ridiculed -- that make it hard to ignore the pull of this colorful whirlwind that charts a love triangle through decades.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the nature of love in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. What were the differences/similarities between the different types of love portrayed in the film – such as friendship and romantic love?
Talk about the bad language used in the movie. Did it seem appropriate for a movie like this? What did it contribute to the movie?
The film centers on a love triangle, which is a plot device used in many films. Can you think of other examples from movies? How did this compare?
In what ways is gender referenced in the film? What does it say about traditional gender roles?
If Hindi is not a language you speak, how did you find the subtitles? Were they distracting or did you get used to them quickly? Has it inspired you to seek out other non-English movies?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: January 9, 2002
- Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukerji
- Director: Karan Johar
- Studios: Yash Raj Films, Amazon Prime Video
- Genre: Romance
- Topics: Friendship, Music and Sing-Along
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Empathy
- Run time: 177 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: November 2, 2022
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