There are motion pictures you watch after which there are motion pictures you develop up with. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, or just K3G, belongs within the latter class. The film was launched in 2001 and have become one unapologetically grand Bollywood household drama by all means. Pointless to say, by all trendy logic, it might really feel dated to as we speak’s Gen Z viewers. And but, greater than 20 years later, it stays a cultural mainstay. It’s nonetheless memed, streamed, quoted and rewatched with the identical enthusiasm as ever. Absolutely, you scroll via a bunch of Poo-inspired memes day-after-day, and so do I!
So, what’s it about K3G that continues to resonate with a technology raised on Instagram reels, international cinema and an ‘it is merely not giving’ angle?
The drama is the purpose
First issues first: K3G doesn’t do refined and that’s precisely why it really works. In an period of overstimulation and performative minimalism (cue in clear woman aesthetic), K3G gives catharsis via extra. The feelings are loud, the conflicts are operatic, and the stakes are at all times sky-high. Estrangement from your loved ones since you married for love? After all. Tears flowing in designer sarees? Naturally.
Gen Z doesn’t love K3G regardless of its melodrama, they like it due to it. The movie understands that emotions don’t are available in half-measures and neither does Bollywood at its most iconic.
Characters that grew to become archetypes
Few movies have characters as immediately recognisable as K3G. Rahul Raichand (Shah Rukh Khan, who else?), the turtleneck scorching cake is the blueprint for the emotionally wounded romantic hero. Anjali, performed by Kajol, is chaotic, loud, loving and relatable with a capital R. Poo (Kareena Kapoor Khan), as soon as dismissed as over-the-top, is now an authorized Gen Z icon. Why? She is assured, self-aware, and dwelling by her personal guidelines lengthy earlier than ‘principal character vitality’ was a factor. These characters have transcended the movie itself. They’re in GIFs, memes, audio traits and Halloween costumes. Most of Bollywood’s digital footprint, due to Karan Johar, is crammed with K3G.
Nostalgia with out the bags
Millennials would agree, K3G is nostalgia tied to childhood. It was part of Sunday tv reruns in household dwelling rooms. However for the Gen Z, the nostalgia is second hand. However no much less highly effective. It’s consolation cinema with out private baggage. Watching K3G looks like stepping right into a heat and exaggerated model of a household. The mentioned household is flawed, dramatic however in the end united. Curiously, K3G gives a fantasy model of reconciliation. It doesn’t fake to be life like however guarantees emotional closure. And generally, that’s precisely what viewers need.
Aesthetic extra, earlier than it was cool
Let’s discuss in regards to the look of K3G. The mansions (how can the Raichand home be in Delhi?), the couture, the sweeping international areas, the slow-motion entrances and extra saved the cinematic maximalism alive, earlier than TikTok rediscovered it. Gen Z, with their love for irony and camp, understands K3G as each honest and spectacular.
There’s a motive scenes from the movie flow into endlessly on-line. Jaya Bachchan sensing Rahul’s presence and Poo declaring her life philosophy lends itself effortlessly to remix tradition. K3G is aware of it’s iconic and doesn’t need to combat for a spot within the museum of the grandest Bollywood motion pictures ever made.
Music that refuses to age
Few Bollywood albums have the endurance of K3G. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’s aching title observe within the legendary Lata Mangeshkar’s voice to the marriage staple Bole Chudiyan proceed to indicate up at household features, reels and late-night nostalgia playlists. For Gen Z listeners, these songs carry drama and longing in only a few notes. The tracks do not want the algorithm to drive them to the correct audiences, for they’re common simply the best way they’re.
The consolation movie impact
At its core, K3G survives as a result of it understands that individuals return to tales that make them really feel held. The movie doesn’t choose its characters for wanting love. It validates these needs with dhol and background violins.
Gen Z, usually labelled indifferent or ironic, has proven repeatedly that they crave sincerity. K3G delivers sincerity in abundance. It says it’s okay to care an excessive amount of, cry brazenly (males, take notes) and consider in dramatic reunions.
Additionally Learn: Kajol Celebrates 24 Years of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham With Enjoyable Submit
