Nearly two decades after challenging Indian cinema’s conventions, Karan Johar’s Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) remains a talking point for its unflinching portrayal of marital discord and infidelity. The star-studded drama, featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta, and Amitabh Bachchan, achieved commercial success while simultaneously courting controversy upon its theatrical release.
In a conversation with ANI, Rani Mukerji addressed the divided response the film received during its initial run. “Maybe India wasn’t ready for it,” she acknowledged. “But it’s always rewarding to be associated with films that push boundaries. When people look back at cinema history, they’ll remember these as the films that dared to speak uncomfortable truths—films that started conversations with audiences who weren’t quite prepared to confront those realities. Such cinema has the power to catalyze social change.”
Her remarks follow the film’s 19th anniversary in August, which director Karan Johar commemorated with a heartfelt social media tribute. Posting vintage photographs and behind-the-scenes footage, Johar wrote: “Some love stories transcend time and retain their impact… KANK will always be that for me. Creating my third film, I was humbled to work alongside exceptional talent in telling a story that was daring, courageous, and deeply emotional.”
On the professional front, Rani recently claimed her maiden National Award for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. She’s currently filming the third chapter of Yash Raj Films’ Mardaani series.
