Home / Arts and Entertainment / Rani Mukerji: "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" Was Ahead of Its Time in India
Rani Mukerji: "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" Was Ahead of Its Time in India
3 Oct
Summary
- Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) sparked controversy for its bold take on extramarital relationships
- Rani Mukerji says India wasn't ready for the film's themes at the time of its release
- Director Karan Johar celebrates the film's legacy and impact 19 years later
In October 2025, nearly two decades after its release, Karan Johar's 2006 film Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna continues to spark conversations for its bold take on extramarital relationships and marital dissatisfaction. The ensemble drama, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta, and Amitabh Bachchan, was both a commercial success and a lightning rod for criticism when it first hit theatres.
Rani Mukerji, who played a lead role in the film, recently shared her thoughts on the polarized reception it received at the time. She believes that "maybe India wasn't ready for it," but she is proud to have been part of a film that was "way ahead of its time." Mukerji notes that such films can lead to important societal changes, even if the audience wasn't initially prepared to confront the truths they presented.
To mark the film's 19th anniversary in August 2025, director Karan Johar took to social media to celebrate its legacy. Johar expressed his deep emotional connection to the project, describing Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna as a "bold... brave and full of only heart" story that has transcended time and still holds power.
