Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, one of the most-loved Hindi films not only in India but also across the globe, has clocked 20 years of its theatrical release. Filmmaker Karan Johar on Tuesday took a trip down the memory lane to share what went behind the making of his blockbuster 20 years ago.
Featuring an ensemble cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, and Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham revolves around an Indian family which faces troubles and misunderstandings.
Johar, 49, took to social media to share glimpses from the world of K3G, as it is widely known among cinegoers on the 20th anniversary of the film's release on Tuesday. “Thank you falls short. A little piece of my heart for you on this day. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham became part of pop culture. The dialogues became part of everyday conversation, each scene and sequence was beautifully conceptualised, the costumes set fashion trends that exist even today, the dance moves are followed even today on various occasions, besides the music of the film lives on even today,” the director recalled.
“20 years later I am so happy to have created something that brought so much joy across the world and forever indebted to the legendary cast who I am proud to call my friends and family."
In a four-minute video clip, Johar shared moments from the film and recalled the contribution of every department towards its making.
“A film, a journey and memories that are indispensable", he said, adding, “I feel sometimes I don't have words to describe my feeling when it comes to this film, drama, emotion, sentiments, something that I grew up on.”
The director-producer said the true challenge was justifying the icons that he cast in the film. “...The icons that I was bringing together on celluloid Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan - the living legends and the eternal duo Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol - who are dearest to my heart since my very first film. And the trendsetters of that era Hrithik and Kareena and even today,” he added.
He also shared that he has heard many people across the world sing and dance to popular tracks from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham like ‘Say Shava Shava' and ‘Bole Chudiyan' at family functions, weddings, celebrations, etc.
Johar also lauded the efforts of choreographer Farah Khan, costume designer Manish Malhotra, production designer Sharmishta Roy and cinematographer Kiran Deohans. He said his filmmaker father, late Yash Johar, who appears in the video, fell in love with the caption of K3G. “What I loved the most is, the caption of the film, that is, ‘it's all about loving your parents'. I don't think anyone has ever given me such a beautiful gift,” he said.
To celebrate the 20 years of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, several celebrities such as Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh, Sidharth Malhotra, and fans have been sharing videos and messages on social media, recreating their favourite scenes from the movie.
Upon its release on December 14, 2001, the film received polarised reactions from critics but commercially it turned out to be one of the highest-grossing films of the year.
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A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.