In today's fast-changing world, the value of human relations has eroded and a bond like marriage - once held so pious - has become fickle. In Karan Johar's words, it was this thought that germinated the seed of the story of KANK. The movie's story is set in New York.
In many ways ' Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna ' is like and unlike Karan's previous movies. Like Karan's previous flicks, KANK also deals with complexities of human relations. But this time the filmmaker is not presenting a boy-meets-girl-and-they-fall-in-love story. On the other hand, KANK is the story of two couples, of two troubled marriages, of love that is found in the most unexpected way and in the most unexpected person.
Marriages may be made in heaven, but they meet their fate here, on earth. Marriages are supposed to unite man and woman, make them companions for life. But can a marriage work if there is lack of love, understanding, commitment and caring for one's spouse. At the centre of KANK's story are two couples whose married lives are not without chinks.
Shah Rukh Khan Shahrukh plays Dev Saran. He is a sensitive, sentimental and cynical man who is often at odds with the ways of the world. His dreams were broken before fruition because of an unfortunate mishap. Although he believes he loves his wife Rhea (Preity Zinta), but deep within he also resents her unflinching dedication to her career and lack of commitment to her family.
Preity Zinta Preity Zinta plays Rhea Saran, a confident, ambitious, modern girl. She is not the typical traditional wife whose husband is her be-all and end-all. She values her freedom very much. But in living life her way, she often relegates to the sidelines her responsibilities as a wife and as a mother.
Abhishek Bachchan Abhishek Bachchan plays Rishi Talwar, a dandy, suave and stylish man. He has a contrasting mix of fun and seriousness in him. He can be frivolous and fun loving. And he can be brooding and glum. He loves his wife Maya (Rani Mukherjee), but he can't understand one particular side of her personality that comes up now and then in their most intimate moments.
Rani Mukherjee Rani Mukherjee plays Maya Talwar. She is a woman coming to terms with her own inner conflicts. She cannot have children. This wound festers in her mind and affects her relationship with her husband, Rishi. She somehow tries to make up for this by teaching little children in a kids' school. But deep within her are feelings which she doubts Rishi will ever understand.
Amitabh Bachchan Amitabh plays Samarjit Singh Talwar a.k.a. Sam. Although he is Rishi's father, Sam is full of exuberance and buoyancy of youth. For him the happiness of his children, Rishi and Maya, means the most.
Beneath his fun-loving personality, Sam is a wise man who notices everything silently and doles out advice in the most appropriate manner.
Kiron Kher Kiron Kher plays Kamaljeet Saran, Dev's (Shahrukh's) mother. She is a woman who has embraced the modern lifestyle of the west without losing touch with her traditional roots. Quietly she observes the strains in the married life of her son and her daughter-in-law. Wisely she gives her opinion whenever needed.
The chinks in the married life of Rishi and Maya keep getting wider. They fight, they make up, but never are they able to make their house a happy home. They can share material things, but not the pain in each other's hearts.
Even Dev and Rhea's marriage is on the rocks. Dev knows that the emotionally cold Rhea will never understand the void in his heart. They both want their marriage to work, but they also know they can't be happy together.
Dev meets Maya. As the two spend time together, the holes in their respective marriages become more apparent to each other. Soon they realize that they understand each other much better than they had imagined.
But there is more than mutual understanding to the relationship between Dev and Maya. Beneath the surface lurks stronger emotions - emotions that both of them know they must fight. But the more they try to suppress, the stronger their feelings become.
KANK is the story of Dev and Maya finding love in each other. But can they accept this love without feeling guilty about their respective spouses?
How will Rishi and Rhea react to Dev and Maya's relationship? Will they let them be or will they oppose this bond, which, speaking plainly, is an extramarital affair.
How will the elders, Sam (Amitabh) and Kamaljit (Kiron Kher) see Dev and Maya's relation? What piece of advice will they give to them and to Rishi and Rhea?
It would be interesting to see what conclusion Karan Johar gives to this story. In his director's note, Johar says: “In this complex scenario how much does one compromise on self-gratification for the sake of commitment. Not that I have found solutions while making the film but even if I don't have the right answers, I'm glad that I could raise a few right questions through KANK.”
KANK has special appearances by Ritesh Deshmukh and Arjun Rampal . There are rumours that the film will also have a special one-song appearance by Kajol . She is likely to dance along with Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan in a song called 'Rock n' Roll Soniye'.
The costumes of KANK have been designed by Manish Malhotra . The film will see its leading characters patronising brands from Cavalli and Louis Vuitton to Dior and Ralph Lauren.
KANK is produced under the banner of Karan Johar's Dharma productions. The film's story is written jointly by Karan Johar and Shibani Bathija. Music composer trio Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy have composed the songs, while Javed Akhtar has written the lyrics.
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