Cinema VinesWhen Karan Johar’s 2006 romantic drama Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna hit the screens, it sparked a firestorm of debate. The film, which starred Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta and Amitabh Bachchan, tackled the sensitive theme of extramarital affairs—a subject that was still taboo in mainstream Hindi cinema. Critics were divided, and audiences were split between praising the bold narrative and condemning what they saw as an endorsement of infidelity.
Two decades after its release, the director took to Instagram to reflect on the unexpected reactions he still receives. In a series of slides, Johar recounted the day he had wanted to watch a preview of the film in a theatre. He described how a middle‑aged couple, dressed in traditional attire, left the cinema in a fit of anger after a scene where Shah Rukh Khan’s character and Rani Mukerji’s character shared a passionate moment. “I was sitting behind them, and when the scene unfolded, they looked at each other angrily and stormed out. My heart sank,” Johar wrote.
He also shared an encounter with a woman who had come to the film with her daughter, hoping for a family‑friendly story. The woman confronted Johar, accusing him of making a film that forced her daughter to witness a divorce. “I took my daughter to see a happy film with songs and dances and family values because it was YOUR film. The day she got her divorce, and this is what I saw! Shame on you,” she said, and Johar added that he had to flee the cinema to avoid further confrontation.
Johar admitted that the movie had its flaws. He acknowledged that the film was over‑blown, with opulent songs that sometimes felt out of place. Yet he insisted that the heart of the story was intact and that the film never intended to glorify cheating. “The film did not endorse infidelity—never was that my intention. It showed that stepping outside the boundaries of marriage to seek love or desire can destroy your foundation and family,” he clarified.
Despite the mixed reviews and the intense backlash, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna has earned a cult following over the years. Johar thanked the cast and crew for their dedication and expressed gratitude for the continued interest from viewers. The film remains a landmark in his career, following his earlier successes with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001). His most recent directorial effort, Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani (2023), starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt, earned two National Awards, further cementing his status in Indian cinema.
