Thousands of films get made, but only a few become modern classics. Kal Ho Naa Ho is such a film. It is only ten years old, but it has already left a mark on Bollywood like few other movies have. Produced by Yash and Karan Johar, it’s a star-studded affair, featuring the likes of Shahrukh Khan, Jaya Bachchan, Preity Zinta, and Saif Ali Khan.
"Simply understanding the meaning of the title sheds light on the sappy essence of this film. Kal Ho Naa Ho means 'We may not have tomorrow.'”
The film touches on a lot of family issues. Naina’s father committed suicide and her paternal grandmother blames Naina’s mother, Jennifer. Naina’s only source of happiness is her friend Rohit, although her optimistic yet terminally sick neighbor, Aman Mathur, has also made it his personal goal to cheer up Naina and her family. As might be expected, drama ensues: characters fall in love, weddings take place, and people learn to forgive. All in all, 100% pure Bollywood. In fact, this movie is what in India is called “filled with masala.” “Masala” is a spice mix, and the phrase is a reference to the practice of cooking with spices to bring out the flavor. In a film, then, all the elements added on top to evoke every possible emotion make up the movie’s “masala.” And there is probably no better way to spice up a film than with syrupy words of love. Pay attention, for there are lines in this film that will make an Indian mother-in-law weep.Simply understanding the meaning of the title sheds light on the sappy essence of this film. Kal Ho Naa Ho means “We may not have tomorrow.” Throughout the running time, many other typically romantic words can be heard: “dil” (heart), “pyaar” (love), and “zindagi” (life). These terms are staples of Bollywood cinema, like “door” (far) and “dooriyan” (distance).
"Kal Ho Naa Ho is an over-the-top movie no one should miss. Not only will viewers learn how to woo a girl the good old-fashioned Indian way, but their knowledge of the film will impress just about everyone in India."
The word “kaash,” meaning “wish,” appears in two popular lines from the film. The first time is during Aman’s rambling confession of love: “Naina, kaash mein tumhe bataa sakta, mein tumhe kitna chahta hoon” (Naina, I wish I could tell you how much I love you). The next time is in response to a question posed by Rohit, “Tum meri jagah hote to kya karte?” (What would you do in my place?). Aman replies, “Kaash. Kaash main tumhari jagah hota, Rohit. Kaash” (I wish. I wish I was in your place, Rohit. I wish). In colloquial Hindi, the first-person pronoun “I” is not required before “kaash,” since it is understood that the speaker means “I wish” rather than just “wish.”
Kal Ho Naa Ho is an over-the-top movie no one should miss. Not only will viewers learn how to woo a girl the good old-fashioned Indian way, but their knowledge of the film will impress just about everyone in India.
