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A year after the classic 'Deewaar' (1975), the Yash Chopra-Amitabh-Shashi combination joined forces once again. But unlike the hard-hitting action-drama, this time they teamed up for a simple, poetic romantic drama.

I am normally a big fan of multi-starrers and family dramas and this is a big reason for my liking this film. The film has about 9 central characters and all of them manage to leave a mark. Also a film starring Big B and Shashi Kapoor is always a must-watch for me. The crackling chemistry they shared between them was far superior to any of the leading heroines of those times. No wonder they did more films together than with any particular heroine!

But in most of these films there is a perennial complaint of Big B tending to overshadow Shashi. But 'Kabhi Kabhie' is a heart-warming exception. Not just compared to Bachchan; but out of the entire bouquet of characters, it's Shashi who creates the biggest impression. His ever- smiling charming persona with a big heart of gold, is a complete delight. My favourite scene was where he went under the table to snoop on his son's telephonic conversation. Also the confrontation scene between him and Bachchan towards the end was terrific. It's just for him, that one could see the film time and again!

The other attraction of the film is we get to see stars like Big B, Shashi, Rakhee and Waheeda Rehman, who were in their youth; being projected in older roles. If these characters were to be played by actors who matched the age, then the film would lose half the charm.

One expects a tight narration in multi-starrers; but here the tone was kept deliberately simple. It's obvious from the start that it's gonna be a very poetic film. But unfortunately this makes the film quite boring and monotonous at parts. In fact the original premise of the Amitabh- Rakhi romance ultimately turns out to be a mere subplot. One certainly expected something more here. But just on the verge of the climax where it appeared we were headed for a melodramatic finish, we are treated to a sudden chase-sequence which was a delightful surprise. The sequence is brilliantly shot with horses, jeeps and motorbikes embroiled in a trail with blasts going off on the picturesque Kashmir mountains behind. It's the ideal finish required for a film like this.

Music by Khayyam and lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi are highlights of the film. But there are just too many songs in the 2nd half which obstructs the pace of the film.

This was a terrific example of the versatility of Chopra who could switch effortlessly between two diverse genres. Although, he is mostly remembered as a 'King of Romance', personally I find him more capable in the action-ventures like 'Deewaar', (1975) 'Trishul' (1978) and 'Kala Patthar' (1979). As a result, 'Kabhi Kabhie' fails to match up to those standards; but is still the best romantic film of Chopra after 'Chandni' (1989).

Many consider it to be a great romantic film or even a poetic film. But for me, this film is special just because of Shashi, the star-cast and for getting to see a whole bunch of actors playing characters far older than their real age!

Yash Chopra's ability to make a mainstream film which is hopelessly romantic on the one hand but then, at the same time, infuse it with a sort of delicate realism when it comes to his portrayal of relationships, is quite a rarity in commercial Hindi films. Mind you, Kabhie Kabhie is neither an art film nor a middle-of-the-road, Hrishikesh Mukherjee-style sort of film, but it has this believability about it which makes it entirely different and superior to the usual fare of the times. Due credit goes of course to the script by Sagar Sarhadi and Chopra's direction. Few mainstream films of the times showed a husband and wife lying on their bed and having a casual conversation after waking up, the wife taking a bath, other female characters sitting and sewing for leisure or reading a newspaper. This situational matter-of-factness, which is also true of the poetic but rich dialogue, is characteristic of Chopra's profound narrative style, as evidenced in his other films of the time, like Deewar, Trishul, and Kaala Patthar, and it makes his films consistently engaging.

At the same time, the film never gives up its commercial mass appeal. The characters are mostly affluent and urban, although like always Chopra presents how flawed they are, how many mistakes they make, and of course the price they pay for their actions. As one would expect, the setting is pretty gorgeous, with our players all living in big, often luxurious houses, and their lifestyle is one to envy. Indeed, Kabhie Kabhie is a melodrama, but, as mentioned above, the delivery makes it always ring true even if sentimentality is unavoidable in this kind of story. It's just much more subtle than most films of its kind, and its poetic quality makes even less appropriate parts fit well within the context the film. As a cinematic experience it is just great entertainment - the film is beautifully shot, and the music, oh the music - Khayyam, the legendary musician does wonders to the film and it is his songs which make the film so memorable today. The songs give life to the film and inject meaning even into the weaker parts.

Kabhie Kabhie is an ensemble film, and needless to say, those were the days of Amitabh Bachchan's consistent rise to cinematic immortality. His depth and restraint work so well for both the character and the film, playing well in accordance with Chopra's controlled direction. Raakhee is also quietly dignified and authentic. Sadly, their appearance once the story jumps many years forward, is not entirely convincing, but they do well. Shashi Kapoor plays second-fiddle to Bachchan like in so many other films from Deewaar to Trishul, and he does a typical job, which is good. Waheeda Rehman can be counted on to give exactly what she gives here - a remarkably realistic performance. The weak links for me, not because of their acting, but because of their placement in the story, the lovely couple of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, both working hard to highlight how young and bubbly they are. Singh of course gets meatier part which carries the narrative forward. Simi Garewal is very good in a smaller part. Flawed it may be, but Kabhie Kahbie is a classic worth revisiting.

Yash Chopra made several good films in 70's, 80's till early 90's IMO

After the riveting DEEWAAR(1975) he returned with Bachchan and Shashi which was their perhaps 3rd film together after blockbusters like ROTI KAPDA AUR MAKAAN(1974) and DEEWAAR

The film starts off well and slowly transforms into a mature love story with lot of complications

The story slowly moves ahead 20 yrs and the story gets more complicated but it's brilliantly handled

Yash Chopra handles the film very well, he excels in handling relationships Music is good

Amiabh handles his part like a pro, in a role that sheds his angry young man image he does a great job Raakhee is good too Shashi too does a good job Waheeda excels Rishi Kapoor is delightful, Neetu too does a good job Balraj Sahni, Simi Garewal lend adeqaute support

Kabhi Kabhi – Sometimes life comes in full circle! Amit (Amitabh) loves Pooja (Rakhee) since college days.

Pooja gets married to Vijay (Shashi) and conceives Vicky (Rishi).

Vicky falls in love with Pinky (Neetu) – an adopted daughter of the Kapoors.

Pinky is the illegitimate (pre-marital sex locha) child of Anjali (Waheeda).

Anjali is wife of Amit! Anjaili gives birth (legitimate this time)to Sweetie after sleeping with Amit (her husband).

Sweetie falls in love with Vicky! Vicky rejects Sweetie – earning the wrath of Amit – for Amit was a failure in love himself and it hurt him to see that Sweetie would have to live-on with unrequited love – more or less like father, like daughter – also like mother – since her mother (Waheeda) too had been in love with someone else and was afraid to confess to Amit about her pre-marital sex, pregnancy and even delivery! Such a huge secret was hidden by Waheeda!! So a sad Amit reluctantly married an even sadder Waheeda (she was a mother after all who had given birth to a 'nanhi-pari' but never could shower her love on her – sob-sniff) and they 'copulated' lovelessly – thereby giving birth to an entity like Sweetie – whose love for Vicky went unrequited! Like Parent, Like Children – amazing huh!!

Mind it – a 1976 film – pre-marital sex and associated lochas are ramphant – why on earth do the oldies scream and shout at the youngsters saying that the current generation has gone to the dogs! Even they were not adhering to chastity or virginity – how come they expect their sons and daughters...kith and kin to behave all nice and decent and chaste!? Pooja's heart, mind and soul remains with Amit – body with Vijay. Only Vijay is the one who seems to not have had any locha affair – but what does he get as a reward? Pooja's body – well most Indian husbands will quite agree that it is enough – heart, mind and soul are difficult things to handle – it is better that the female handles it all alone – which maximum wives do by dwelling in their reverie – with some distant (existing or non-existing) dream lover!

Life & Compromise - So Pathetic Indeed!

I have only recently realized that in fact I don't really like Yash Chopra's movies. These were really the first Bollywood films I have seen so I just thought - that's Bollywood, it's OK. However, later I thought - hang on a second, how come other movies are so much better than these? Most of Yash Chopra's movies were fine, you can't really see any significant flaws in them but they just lack something. I don't know what it is, it's just that somehow they don't make the right use of their potential.

However, I did like "Kabhie Kabhie" quite a lot. Out of all the movies by Yash Chopra that I have watched, this is the best one. Actually, at first I thought it was really crap but I changed my mind about it.

At first I thought the story was just ridiculous. Now I think it's actually quite good. A fresh look at the question of whether past is really past and if we are allowed to forget it or not. What I liked in the movie was that the characters weren't at all perfect - they had a lot of weaknesses. Especially Big B.'s character, of course. And Vicky, played by Rishi, who really annoyed me at first, but now I think it was a pretty interesting character. So was Pinky. Sweety is terribly spoiled and this begs the question how come that such cultured people could raise such an ill-mannered and silly girl. However, apart from Sweety all the other characters are pretty convincing. The happy ending comes somehow too quickly, like in 'Silsila'. I think that people normally need more time to sort out their problems, but basically I liked the message in this movie.

My favourite character was definitely Vijay, played by Shashi Kapoor, who surprisingly turns out to be the most mature character of all and makes Amitabh finally understand his mistake. Basically, I think Shashi and Rakhee rock in this movie. Rakhee may seem too perfect to some people but I also liked her for that reason, Pooja is really a very likable character. Neetu Singh was also very good, I mean: making a person named Pinky a complex character - that is really amazing.

After directing action movies Joshila and Deewaar, Yash Chopra made Kabhie Kabhie with a theme that he is good at i.e. Love. The movie starts with the song "Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shaayar Hoon" and, ends with the song "Main Har Ek Pal Ka Shaayar Hoon". What lies between the two songs of the poet is a well told love story spanning two generations that shows the transformation of the poet from "Pal Do Pal Ka Shaayar" to "Har Ek Pal Ka Shaayar".

I have watched Kabhie Kabhie several times and, yet I have not got tired of this movie. The main reason for this is that as an audience I can associate to Kabhi Kabhie in different ways, to the characters, to the story, to the music or simply to the musings of the poet.

There are seven main characters and, all of these characters are natural and realistic that audience can feel each of the characters emotion and associate to them. Amitabh, Rakhee, Shashi Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman, Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Naseem, all of them have acted very well; but it is Amitabh who steals the show. Parikshit Sahni and Simi Grewal have supported well as the foster parents of Neetu Singh and, Deven Verma provides the comical relief (given a few scenes he leaves a good impression).

Yash Chopra has handled the theme of the movie very well and, has directed superbly. He keeps the story telling simple and linear, develops each character very well, and never goes far from the crux of the story even when touching issues like premarital relationship. Though brief, he also captures the capital Delhi nicely. I regard Kabhie Kabhie as Yash Chopra's best movie until now. He did break the grounds with "Lamhe" in terms of story but he is yet to surpass Kabhie Kabhie as director.

Music and songs have always been the strong point of Yash Chopra's movie. Kabhie Kabhie is among the top ones in that list. The credit goes to both Khayyam and Sahir. One may have to watch Kabhie Kabhie second time just to enjoy the music and songs. The songs melodiously rendered by Mukesh, Lata, Kishore and Pamela to date are chart busters. At the time when Kishore's voice was getting associated with Amitabh, Khayyam broke the trend by using Mukesh's voice to capture the soul and the depth in the poet's (or Sahir's) lyrics (note that in Trishul he did it again using Yesudas's voice for Amitabh).

Khayyam not only composed delightful music for beautiful songs written by Sahir, but also scored one of the best background music in Hindi cinema. The background music is very rich, consistent, pleasant and captures the mood of the characters so as to relate them to the audience. Khayyam has done it mainly by efficiently fiddling with two instruments, such as, two guitars (when Sweety introduces Vicky to Preeti and, when Amit, Anjali, Vicky, Sweety and Preeti are eating dinner), guitar and sitar (Amit and Anjali discussing in the bedroom while they are thinking about two different things and, the change when they talk about themselves; Preeti and Vicky arguing in the garden after Preeti comes to know about her mother), banjo and violin (when Anjali finds out about Preeti and Vicky's love) to describe a few.

It isn't that there are no weak moments in the movie. The story line does has some weakness; but the different strengths of the movie does not lets the audience feel or see them, or lets the audience to ignore them.

As a whole Kabhie Kabhie is one of the best movie that has graced the screens of Hindi cinema.

I was very interested in seeing this movie for a long time. It was a huge hit when it came out and it was acclaimed by critics as well.

After seeing it, I wondered if this movie would be a success if it came out today. The characters act in weird and sometimes nonsensical ways. Rishi Kapoor's character's actions really have no justification. I did like Shashi Kapoor's character, though.

Overall, this makes me wonder if we see a lot of older movies through rose tinted glasses.

Kabhi Kabhie is what I'd like to call a complete movie- it has all the fine elements. Good story, great dialogues, great direction- and great acting. Amitabh Bachan, Raakhee, Shashi and Rishi Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman and Neetu Singh gave a convincing and touching performance.

I enjoyed Mukesh's songs. The poetry was simply breathtaking! The scene between Amitabh and Raakhee meeting 20 years later was very touching. It was a very beautiful love story, woven through several generations, and it felt as though it was a journey through several emotions and moments of recollection, remorse, repentance, etc. There was an atmosphere of unspoken love and care in the story. Many untold things took physical shape and meaning only in the hearts of the audience. It was great! All-in-all a 9/10 movie!

"Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein" who can forget that song by the late Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar. I first saw this movie in the mid 1970's when it was first released. The cinemas were totally packed - "House Full." The songs were already famous before the release of the movie.

Amit Malhotra, recites one of his poems at a college / university where he meets Pooja" and they both fall in love. But parents have other plans and Pooja gets married to an architect, Vijay Khanna while Amit returns home and joins his father's business - a construction company. As time passes, Pooja and Vijay have a son, Vikram, also known as "Vicky", who falls in love with Pinky Kapoor while studying and the two plan to get married. The two families meet and realise that Pinky is Doctor R.P Kapoor's daughter and that Vijay is his patient. In the meantime, Pooja who has her own TV show, interviews Amit Malhotra, who informs her that he has given up writing poetry. In the meantime, Doctor R.P. Kapoor informs his wife that he is worried about what Vijay will think when he finds out about Pinky's past.

"Kabhi Kabhie," directed by Yash Chopra, stars Amitabh Bachchan, Rakhee Gulzar, Shashi Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman, Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Parikshit Sahni, Simi Garewall and Nasreen. Ifteqar and Deven Varma make a special appearance.

This movie is "poetry in motion" totally and that is not to mention the acting, the story, cinema photography and lastly the songs. This is a typical Yashraj film where the scenery is concerned - mountains and snow.

Conclusion: This is a worthwhile to watch whenever you have the chance for "Love Is Life."

Kabhie Kabhie" is directed by Yash Chopra. It is one of the classic Bollywood films released in 1976.the movie is known for its stellar star cast and soulful music. It features Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Rakhee Gulzar, Waheeda Rehman, Rishi Kapoor, and Neetu Singh in pivotal roles.

The film revolves around the complexities of relationships, focusing on the themes of love, marriage, and destiny. It explores the lives of various characters who find themselves entangled in a web of emotions, spanning across different generations. The narrative weaves together multiple storylines, blending romance, drama, and tragedy in an engaging manner.

One of the film's strong points is its stellar performances. Amitabh Bachchan delivers a memorable performance as Amit Malhotra, a poet torn between his love for Pooja (Rakhee Gulzar) and his responsibility towards his arranged marriage with Anjali (Waheeda Rehman). Shashi Kapoor impresses as the lovestruck Vijay, while Rakhee Gulzar brings grace and depth to her character. The supporting cast, including Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, also shine in their respective roles.

Composed by Khayyam, with lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi, the film's soundtrack is melodious and emotional. Songs like "Kabhie Kabhie Mere Dil Mein," "Tere Chehre Se Nazar Nahin," and "Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon" have become evergreen classics and are still cherished by music lovers today.

Visually, the movie is beautifully shot, capturing the scenic locations and adding to the overall aesthetic appeal. The cinematography and art direction create a timeless and elegant atmosphere, enhancing the storytelling.

While "Kabhie Kabhie" received critical acclaim upon its release and has gained a cult following over the years, it may not appeal to everyone. The pace of the film can be considered slow by today's standards, and the multiple storylines may require patience from the viewer. However, for those who appreciate classic Bollywood films with deep emotional undertones and memorable performances, "Kabhie Kabhie" remains a must-watch.

In summary, "Kabhie Kabhie" is a well-crafted film that delves into the complexities of love and relationships. With its stellar cast, memorable music, and heartfelt storytelling, it continues to be regarded as a classic in Indian cinema.

Skip the movie and buy the soundtrack instead. Great songs but painful sitting through the entire film.

Kabhi Kabhie review :

Known as the king of romance, Kabhi Kabhie was arguably the best romantic drama made by Yash Chopra. With a stellar starcast and lovely compositions by Khayyam, the film is like a beautiful poetry on celluloid.

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan went against his action image to play a budding poet who loses his love (Rakhee) and inspiration to the affable Shashi Kapoor. Their paths meet again decades later when kiddos Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh come together as a couple. Debutant Naseem, playing Bachchan's daughter, forms the triangle to Rishi- Neetu romance. She wasn't seen or heard of after that!!

It was brave of Chopra to cast Bachchan in a romantic role despite being warned by top producer and friend Gulshan Rai that the movie would flop as the audience wanted to see him as the angry young man after Zanjeer (1973), Deewaar (1975) and Sholay (1975). Chopra believed in his story and in Amitabh's immense talent and the gamble paid off handsomely.. Kabhi Kabhie was one of the biggest hits that year. Later, they collaborated in many revered ventures like Trishul (1978), Kaala Patthar (1979) and Silsila (1981).

Personally, I love the "Main pal do pal ka shaayar hoon" and ofcourse, the title song. There is also a scene where Bachchan recites the full version of Kabhi Kabhie which he sang years later as a remix for Bally Sagoo's Aby Baby (1998). The lyrics are deep, the composition is mesmerizing and Kabhi Kabhie as a film, is a masterpiece. Unmissable cinema!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Amitabh and Rakhi's concept is great. Made in very beautiful locations. Songs are wonderful, never dying.

It is 2021 and I am watching this 1970's movie. Experience was beautiful. We will never be explained of true love in this manner by the society and cinema.

Review By Kamal K

The movie has got some really good songs, most of my favourite old songs are from this movie. The Evergreen Hits with really deep meaning and such a melody.

Didn't like the story much, although the start was good. But the movie surely gives some good messages for life...

OK - this film is worth seeing because indeed, the poetry and music is superb. But puhleez! the acting is below par or perhaps it's due to the weak script. The story has potential, but its execution is lacking.

I did appreciate, and still do, a good love story, and this it has, but it's an immature story never properly realised on the screen; perhaps the re-make will finally fulfull this potential.

I know a number of Indians that adore this film - perhaps, my not liking it is my exposure to other foreign films and India's limitations on imported cinema in that time period and thus, their exposure to 'higher-quality' cinema. I do know that even a lot of the sappy love stories done now in Bollywood I really like... but this... sorry!

The individual song, "Kabhi Kabhie" is wonderful esp. the remix done by Bally Sagoo - search the net for it - his mix is excellent.