Suman Kumar Ganguly A year after the classic 'Deewaar' (1975), the Yash Chopra-Amitabh-Shashi combination joined forces once again. But unlike the hard-hitting action-drama, this time they teamed up for a simple, poetic romantic drama.I am normally a big fan of multi-starrers and family dramas and this is a big reason for my liking this film. The film has about 9 central characters and all of them manage to leave a mark. Also a film starring Big B and Shashi Kapoor is always a must-watch for me. The crackling chemistry they shared between them was far superior to any of the leading heroines of those times. No wonder they did more films together than with any particular heroine!But in most of these films there is a perennial complaint of Big B tending to overshadow Shashi. But 'Kabhi Kabhie' is a heart-warming exception. Not just compared to Bachchan; but out of the entire bouquet of characters, it's Shashi who creates the biggest impression. His ever- smiling charming persona with a big heart of gold, is a complete delight. My favourite scene was where he went under the table to snoop on his son's telephonic conversation. Also the confrontation scene between him and Bachchan towards the end was terrific. It's just for him, that one could see the film time and again!The other attraction of the film is we get to see stars like Big B, Shashi, Rakhee and Waheeda Rehman, who were in their youth; being projected in older roles. If these characters were to be played by actors who matched the age, then the film would lose half the charm.One expects a tight narration in multi-starrers; but here the tone was kept deliberately simple. It's obvious from the start that it's gonna be a very poetic film. But unfortunately this makes the film quite boring and monotonous at parts. In fact the original premise of the Amitabh- Rakhi romance ultimately turns out to be a mere subplot. One certainly expected something more here. But just on the verge of the climax where it appeared we were headed for a melodramatic finish, we are treated to a sudden chase-sequence which was a delightful surprise. The sequence is brilliantly shot with horses, jeeps and motorbikes embroiled in a trail with blasts going off on the picturesque Kashmir mountains behind. It's the ideal finish required for a film like this.Music by Khayyam and lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi are highlights of the film. But there are just too many songs in the 2nd half which obstructs the pace of the film.This was a terrific example of the versatility of Chopra who could switch effortlessly between two diverse genres. Although, he is mostly remembered as a 'King of Romance', personally I find him more capable in the action-ventures like 'Deewaar', (1975) 'Trishul' (1978) and 'Kala Patthar' (1979). As a result, 'Kabhi Kabhie' fails to match up to those standards; but is still the best romantic film of Chopra after 'Chandni' (1989).Many consider it to be a great romantic film or even a poetic film. But for me, this film is special just because of Shashi, the star-cast and for getting to see a whole bunch of actors playing characters far older than their real age!

Bijal666 I have only recently realized that in fact I don't really like Yash Chopra's movies. These were really the first Bollywood films I have seen so I just thought - that's Bollywood, it's OK. However, later I thought - hang on a second, how come other movies are so much better than these? Most of Yash Chopra's movies were fine, you can't really see any significant flaws in them but they just lack something. I don't know what it is, it's just that somehow they don't make the right use of their potential.However, I did like "Kabhie Kabhie" quite a lot. Out of all the movies by Yash Chopra that I have watched, this is the best one. Actually, at first I thought it was really crap but I changed my mind about it.At first I thought the story was just ridiculous. Now I think it's actually quite good. A fresh look at the question of whether past is really past and if we are allowed to forget it or not. What I liked in the movie was that the characters weren't at all perfect - they had a lot of weaknesses. Especially Big B.'s character, of course. And Vicky, played by Rishi, who really annoyed me at first, but now I think it was a pretty interesting character. So was Pinky. Sweety is terribly spoiled and this begs the question how come that such cultured people could raise such an ill-mannered and silly girl. However, apart from Sweety all the other characters are pretty convincing. The happy ending comes somehow too quickly, like in 'Silsila'. I think that people normally need more time to sort out their problems, but basically I liked the message in this movie.My favourite character was definitely Vijay, played by Shashi Kapoor, who surprisingly turns out to be the most mature character of all and makes Amitabh finally understand his mistake. Basically, I think Shashi and Rakhee rock in this movie. Rakhee may seem too perfect to some people but I also liked her for that reason, Pooja is really a very likable character. Neetu Singh was also very good, I mean: making a person named Pinky a complex character - that is really amazing.

Pratik Jasani "Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein" who can forget that song by the late Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar. I first saw this movie in the mid 1970's when it was first released. The cinemas were totally packed - "House Full." The songs were already famous before the release of the movie.Amit Malhotra, recites one of his poems at a college / university where he meets Pooja" and they both fall in love. But parents have other plans and Pooja gets married to an architect, Vijay Khanna while Amit returns home and joins his father's business - a construction company. As time passes, Pooja and Vijay have a son, Vikram, also known as "Vicky", who falls in love with Pinky Kapoor while studying and the two plan to get married. The two families meet and realise that Pinky is Doctor R.P Kapoor's daughter and that Vijay is his patient. In the meantime, Pooja who has her own TV show, interviews Amit Malhotra, who informs her that he has given up writing poetry. In the meantime, Doctor R.P. Kapoor informs his wife that he is worried about what Vijay will think when he finds out about Pinky's past."Kabhi Kabhie," directed by Yash Chopra, stars Amitabh Bachchan, Rakhee Gulzar, Shashi Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman, Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Parikshit Sahni, Simi Garewall and Nasreen. Ifteqar and Deven Varma make a special appearance.This movie is "poetry in motion" totally and that is not to mention the acting, the story, cinema photography and lastly the songs. This is a typical Yashraj film where the scenery is concerned - mountains and snow.Conclusion: This is a worthwhile to watch whenever you have the chance for "Love Is Life."

Zardoz St.Germain OK - this film is worth seeing because indeed, the poetry and music is superb. But puhleez! the acting is below par or perhaps it's due to the weak script. The story has potential, but its execution is lacking.I did appreciate, and still do, a good love story, and this it has, but it's an immature story never properly realised on the screen; perhaps the re-make will finally fulfull this potential.I know a number of Indians that adore this film - perhaps, my not liking it is my exposure to other foreign films and India's limitations on imported cinema in that time period and thus, their exposure to 'higher-quality' cinema. I do know that even a lot of the sappy love stories done now in Bollywood I really like... but this... sorry!The individual song, "Kabhi Kabhie" is wonderful esp. the remix done by Bally Sagoo - search the net for it - his mix is excellent.