Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Turns 20: Karan Johar Recalls Audience Reaction During Preview Screening

Karan Johar’s Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna has turned 20, marking two decades since the romantic drama hit theatres in 2006. It remains one of Karan Johar’s most contentious films to date, with viewers expressing divergent opinions and reactions over the years.

Starring Rani Mukerji as Maya, Shah Rukh Khan as Dev, Preity Zinta as Rhea, and Abhishek Bachchan as Rishi, the 2006 romantic drama was considered by many to be far ahead of its time.

The film sought to explore unhappy marriages, emotional unavailability, and the possibility of falling out of love through the story of Dev and Maya, who develop feelings for each other despite being married to other people.

Karan Johar recalls audience reaction

Karan Johar took to Instagram on the evening of the film’s 20th anniversary and wrote:

“A night before Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna released, there was a paid preview at a cinema nearby.

I went quietly to watch the film with an audience and was sitting behind a very traditionally dressed middle-aged couple. For some reason, they seemed angry, and the anger was taken out on the poor popcorn they were chomping on!

At one point in the film, Dev and Maya enter the elevator of a hotel, and what follows is the two characters succumbing to their love and desire.

At that point, Lady Saree looked at Sir Kurta in shock and dropped her popcorn. He turned back and said in Gujarati, ‘Dream sequence che!’

When Sir Kurta realised it wasn't a dream sequence, he looked at his wife angrily, who was now relishing her popcorn much more, and signalled that they should leave immediately.

They left the cinema, and my heart sank…”

He further added:

“The film released to hugely polarising reviews and audience feedback. From being called brave and my best work to being labelled anti-‘sanskaari’ and facing immense hate, I heard it all.”

Karan Johar acknowledges flaws but stands by ‘KANK’

Karan further added that he does not deny the flaws of the film. He acknowledged that it was overblown in scale and featured opulent, and in some cases unnecessary, songs aimed at appealing to his understanding of mainstream cinema. However, he said he always felt that the film had its heart in the right place.

“I am ever so grateful to the incredible cast and crew family of our film. I’ll always be indebted to them for their passion and compassion.

#20YearsOfKANK,” he added.