Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Gham

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.

Released in 2001, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham ("Sometimes Happiness, Sometimes Sadness") was a commercially successful Bollywood film with an all-star cast, directed by Karan Johar.

The film deals with the wealthy Raichand family. The oldest son, Rahul (who is adopted and has much Angst about this fact), is disowned after eloping with an unsuitable girl. Ten years later, the younger son, Rohan, learns the truth about his brother's disappearance and sets out to reunite the family.

Opinions on this movie are sharply divided. For some it's quintessential Bollywood, while for others it's a wangsty Cliché Storm. Either way, it's worth a watch.

Tropes used in Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Gham include:
  • All-Star Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor, Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan... need we say more?
  • Beta Couple: Pooja and Rohan.
  • Chorus Girls: Show up in Say Shava Shava.
  • Crowd Song: Most of the songs in this movie are this.
  • Extreme Doormat: Nandini, though she gets her Silk Hiding Steel on towards the end of second half.
  • Fan Nickname: "K. Jo" for director Karan Johar.
  • Fan Service: Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol dancing by the Pyramids of Egypt in see through shirts and wet saris, respectively.
  • Forgiveness: The climax is rife with apologies.
  • Genki Girl: Anjali. In the second half she becomes a a bit too extreme for some.
  • Getting Crap Past the Radar: As Rahul buys bangles for Anjali, they have a UST charged conversation. Cut to Suraj Hua Maddham.
    • But he just wants to 'raid her sweet shop'!
  • Hell-Bent for Leather: See You Are My Soniye.
  • High School Dance: Pooja and Rohan go to the prom and declare their love for one another. They're in college, not high school, but the prom isn't so different.
  • How We Got Here: First half of the film, as Rohan's grandmothers confess the circumstances of Rahul's disownment.
  • I Have No Son: Impetus for much of the plot.
  • Impossibly Cool Clothes: Rohan and Pooja are victims of this.
  • Long Lost Sibling: Rahul and Rohan.
  • Meet Cute: Rahul meets Anjali as she is dancing in the street, celebrating a cricket victory. She then mistakes him for her best friend's fiance.
  • Melodrama: It was touching the first time Rohan's eyes filled with tears...
  • Mistaken Identity: Rohan actively encourages this, as he tries to bring his family back together.
  • Mood Whiplash: After Rohan solemnly promises to reunite his father and brother the film cuts to Pooja ... dancing to It's Raining Men.
  • The Musical: Of course.
  • Mythology Gag: The theme song of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (also directed by Karan Johar) makes an appearance during Suraj Hua Maddham. Which features the actors who portrayed the One True Pairing in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.
    • And again in the Dharma Pictures (Karan Johar's production company) Vanity Plate.
  • Narm: Most of fandom dislikes the scene with British schoolchildren singing the Indian national anthem.
    • So, kids of all different races and religions say the American Pledge of Alligience everyday in school.
    • Yes, but those students are either American or living in the US. The scene in question involves a group of mostly white children at a school in London with no ties to India whatsoever. In fact, Anjali's feelings of alienation are why Rohan teaches the kids the anthem in the first place. It's meant to be meaningful because it is unusual; many fans simply find it a bit over-the-top.
  • Parental Favoritism: Rahul frequently says that Nandini prefers him over Rohan. And no one corrects him on this.
    • Therefore Rohan is pretty much The Unfavorite. In a weird version of said trope, that's doesn't mean that he is unloved, mind; he actually receives a good amount of affection and is actually loved by his relatives, but it's obvious he's not the son who is liked the most.
  • Parental Marriage Veto: Yashvardhan Raichand does not approve of Anjali.
  • Sad Bollywood Wedding: Rahul and Anjali's, as the wedding is celebrated after her dad's death.
  • She's All Grown Up: Rohan is a male example of this trope.
  • Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism: Firmly on the idealistic side.
  • Tear Jerker
  • Unlucky Childhood Friend: Naina.
  • "Well Done, Son" Guy: Rahul and Yash. There are hints of this in Rohan's relationship with his parents, too.
  • What Do You Mean It's Not Awesome?: Rahul arriving by helicopter.
    • Deewana Hai Dekho also qualifies.
  • The Wise Prince: Rahul.
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