20 years forward: 5 things wrong with 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'

Two decades later, the film seems to be very problematic

KARACHI: If you're a 90s child, chances are you have obsessed over the countless Bollywood films that were released during the time. One of the Khans, be it Shah Rukh, Salman or Aamir, could have very well been your crush.

Maybe still is, considering none of them seemed to have aged. Or either gotten too much botox done that makes them look like wax statues romancing women who are less than half their age.

Regardless, films such as Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Andaz Apna Apna, Ghulam and Duplicate were engraved in our heads. Some fans still remember all the dialogues at the tip of their tongues as many went on become the most iconic one-liners of Bollywood's film history.

Likewise, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (KKHH) is also considered a classic. But 20 years since the film's release, and after being informed about the rights and wrongs of the world, KKHH seems to be very problematic. Here's why:

1. Rahul chose Tina over Anjali

As everyone knows, Rahul (Shah Rukh) and Anjali (Kajol) are best friends yaaaar. But Anjali is smitten by her love for Rahul who is the biggest player in college. He goes around handing friendship bands to all the girls but then walks in Tina (Rani Mukerji) - a UK return, who's also the principal's daughter. As usual, Rahul approaches her, the two spend time together and fall in love. Even though, days earlier he was making fun of her bald father.

PHOTO: DNA INDIA

Of course, Anjali notices the love growing between them and tries to change her 'tomboy' appearance so that Rahul finds her attractive, instead he starts making fun of her. Clearly, none of that works. But the problem doesn't lie in Anjali or Rahul, it's the messed up society that forces women to look a certain way so that they pleasing to the male gaze. And instead of changing that, director Karan Johar banked on the patriarchy.

2. Principal Malhotra's hypocrisy and Miss Braganza

PHOTO: SCROLL INDIA

Hey, we didn't say all men are the same. KKHH did. And that's evident as Principal Malhotra (Anupam Kher) is seen telling girls off for wearing short skirts as it provokes men. But then he seems to love it when Miss Braganza (Archana Puran Singh), a teacher at the same college, sports the same look. Instead of telling girls off, shouldn't the Principal have asked the boys to not stare? That's strike two.

3. The Neelam Show

PHOTO: DICHTOMY OF IRONY

Is it just us, or did everyone notice how a random guy just dumped his girlfriend on national television because he found someone else? Neelam Kothari who played herself as the VJ in the film should have just smacked the guy then and there. But hey, let's promote cheating! Thanks KJo... not! You just inspired a generation of men to do that and think that it's A-okay.

4. Leaking private records

PHOTO: DAILY SOCIAL

Now we already know Principal Malhotra is already pretty confused. But it's down right breach of contract to leak personal details of a student, that too because Rahul wants to stop Anjali from getting married. Even Riffat Bi (Himani Shivpuri), the hostel warden, was all in on the plan. Rahul could be a psychopath serial killer for God's sake. Stop doing that!

5. Anjali leaves Aman

PHOTO: DESI BLITZ

It took Rahul about a decade to realise that Anjali was the right choice for him. You didn't have to come back into the equation and ruin a good thing. Anjali was all set to marry a nice guy, Aman (Salman). He was someone who never judged her for the way she looked or how she lived her life, and isn't that what all of us girls want now? Using his power as a man, Rahul arrives at Anjali's wedding but praise the Lord, Aman realises that can so much better and hands over his bride to the player. And all's well.

Verdict: Aman is the hero of KKHH and knows his true worth, while Anjali and Rahul are mere losers who probably deserve each other.

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