कभी खुशी कभी ग़म...

Saw it Own it. And not just because I'm a woman either. The movie is rather lengthy but well worth sending the message it sends, which is: Family is our most precious asset we can own in this world. No matter what Family is Family and you love them regardless of their choices, mistakes and what nots. This is the type of movie that should be shown to all, to wake up our society and make them realize that life and family are too precious to take for granted. I wish more people knew about this movie, it has a universal language and appeal. And while others may think its too long of a movie to watch, I say get an attention span. I wish American movies were more like this one. The musical numbers while at first seem a bit weird, are rather entertaining and joyful to watch. Excellent movie!!

Despite the rousing tale and fine performances, 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...' is bogged down by its unnecessary lengthy run-time that takes much too long to get to the point and needless doses of drama.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... seems to embody every quintessential element to be found in a Bollywood production. Films from India seem to always include energetic song and dance rituals, emotional sentimentality, a strong showcase of the country's culture and customs, and explicit emphasis on the importance of family and the bond that only blood can bring.

The last Bollywood film I was fortunate enough to see was 3 Idiots, a film that was not only a very funny comedy but an immensely effective culture experience, shedding light on the high suicide rate in the country's teen population. We were told that because of the pressure parents put on their offspring, if success is not achieved by the sons or daughters through grades, income, or upward mobility, some look to suicide as an outlet. It's a depressing statistic, and rarely would you see an American comedy (or any comedy for that matter) incorporate that fact with stupid humor. Director Rajkumar Hirani boldly crafted the film into a two and a half hour emotional roller-coaster that was always entertaining and never boring. I loved it and it was a brilliant film to begin my journey through Bollywood cinema.

Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Gham... (which translates literally to "Sometimes Happiness, Sometimes Sadness" in English) is a solid film to further the journey with Bollywood cinema, concerning the Raichand family, an affluent family in India. The household of the family is controlled by Yashvardhan "Yash" Raichand (Amitabh Bachchan), is an immensely successful businessman, living with his wife Nandini (Jaya Bachchan) and their two sons Rahul and Rohan. Rahul, the older son, was adopted at birth and learns of this at the tender age of eight.

Rahul is eventually disowned by Yash for marrying a woman of a lower socioeconomic standing then the Raichand family, and for that reason, the Raichand family is now incomplete. However, there is hope. When Rohan returns home after a decade in boarding school, he is informed of his brother's adoption and is well aware of his father disowning his younger half. Rohan then decides to try and reunite his family, making the Raichand family the complete unity it hasn't been for years.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... seems to iterate traditionalist Indian values and ideas that a family cannot function unless a family is together at all times. There is an argument to be had in its portrayal of a family and its functionality when a link is missing. However, I am more prepared to make the argument that the film's two hundred and ten minute runtime is more than enough a complaint in itself. The film doesn't need to be this long, and lengthy song and dance routines cloud the film's overall message, which could be reiterated in two and a half hours. For a film locked in conservative family values, it makes a liberal use of its time.

However, the message rings strong - if debatable - and the performances by talented Indian actors such as Bachchan, Kajol (as Rahul's wife), along with Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan, who play the adult versions of Rahul and Rohan, respectively. Their devotion to this material that runs at an opus-length is marvelous and never seems to diminish at any point in the film. Moreover, The song and dance rituals are always a blast. It will take a solid week for me to stop singing "Say Shava Shava," and the infectious cinematography and production values that seem to follow each number keep the film at an absurdly lively status. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... seems to have a limitless amount of energy, and given the enormity of its production, its scope, and its music, it shouldn't be completed in one sitting for a first time viewing.

Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, and Kareena Kapoor. Directed by: Karan Johar.

This film shines from start to finish, and runs the gamut of emotions. The cinematography, sets, and costumes are brilliant. The sparkling performances of six of India's leading actors alone makes the movie worth seeing, even if some might not feel comfortable with the deep sentimentality displayed by the leading men (women are fine with this; American men sometimes find it unnerving). Hrithik Roshan is pure eye candy for women of all ages, somehow oozing sweetness and innocent sexuality at the same time. The catchy song and dance number he performs with the lovely Kareena Kapoor at their 'prom,' "You Are My Soniya," has gotten regular replays in this household for weeks (even by my 79-year old mother, who will say, "I need a Soniya fix" - it really cheers her up!). The other musical numbers are very enjoyable, too, and never seem out of place or at odds with the flow of the film. Shahrukh Khan is adorable, as always, as the favorite son, and can hold his own in the dance numbers, too. Kajol gets to show her comic side, and was great at it! And knowing that the 'parents,' Amitabh and Jaya are a married couple in 'real life' just makes their interactions in the film that much better. Don't miss this wonderful movie! If you see just one Hindi movie, make it this one! (I am adding this question, for anyone who knows the answer: I wanted to find out what actor played Rohan at about age 12; the cast list shows three names for "Fattie" but no further details for any of these actors. If you happen to know the answer, please email me at punzelle@cox.net. Thank you!)

I absolutely adore this movie. I borrowed it from an Indian friend and first of all fell IN LOVE with Hrithrik Roshan. Not even the bootleg tape I had could hide his beauty. I think I watched the movie 3 times in one week! Seeing as how the film is 3 1/2 hours long, that's saying a lot.

As always, Sharukh Khan is a pleasant diversion on screen. Kajol's character was a lot of fun too. It's nice to see a girl with spunk get her man! Nearly all of the songs and choreography were stellar. I will most definitely buy this one.

Like some of the other reviewers mentioned, there is definitely some over-acting but those few moments of suffering are rewarded with a variety of eye-candy. This film is definitely worth watching.