Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

Year: 2001

Runtime: 209 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Karan Johar

Budget: $7.5M

ComedyDramaSong and danceMoving relationship storiesBollywood emotional dramas

The film explores the depth of parental love and family duty. After a father cuts ties with his adopted brother for marrying someone of lower social status, his son embarks on a quest to heal old wounds and reunite the family, confronting pride, tradition and the longing for togetherness.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Delhi, Chandni Chowk, London

The Raichand family home sits in Delhi, showcasing a life of wealth and tradition. Chandni Chowk is depicted as the lively neighborhood Anjali comes from, highlighting a contrast between different social worlds. A portion of the story shifts to London, where Rahul and Anjali seek a new start before the family reunion brings everyone back to India.

🏙️ Urban Delhi 🕌 Indian family culture 🇬🇧 London relocation

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:35

Main Characters – Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)

Meet the key characters of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Rahul Raichand (Shah Rukh Khan)

Rahul is the elder Raichand son who grows up under his parents' high expectations. He falls in love with Anjali, defying a prepared, class-based match and ultimately marries her. After being disowned, he moves to London with Anjali and her sister Pooja, remaining devoted to his family and seeking a reunion.

🎯 Duty ❤️ Love 👪 Family

Anjali Sharma Raichand (Kajol)

Anjali is a vibrant, passionate woman from Chandni Chowk who falls in love with Rahul. She endures the strain of his disownment but remains loyal and supportive, playing a pivotal role in reuniting the family and guiding their journey toward reconciliation.

💖 Love 🧭 Loyalty 🎭 Tradition

Yashvardhan “Yash” Raichand (Amitabh Bachchan)

A wealthy, stern patriarch who places great emphasis on family honor and tradition. His rigid stance initially drives a wedge between Rahul and the family, but his later actions reveal a capacity for regret and reconciliation as he works to bring everyone back together.

🗝️ Authority 💔 Conflict 🤝 Reconciliation

Nandini Chandran Raichand (Jaya Bachchan)

Rahul’s mother, tender and emotionally vocal, torn between a father’s expectations and a son’s happiness. She longs for family unity and supports efforts to heal the rift, playing a key role in steering the family toward reunion.

🫶 Family ❤️ Compassion 🕊️ Forgiveness

Pooja Sharma Raichand (Kareena Kapoor Khan)

Anjali’s sister who becomes part of the Raichand circle. She aids in the plan to reunite the family and forms a bond with Rohan, helping to bridge gaps between generations and social worlds.

🎯 Ally 💞 Friendship 🏙️ Modernity

Rohan Raichand (Hrithik Roshan)

Rahul and Anjali’s son who returns after years abroad. He adopts a cautious, empathetic approach to reuniting his family, uses a ruse to observe the dynamics, and develops a romance with Pooja while helping to heal old wounds.

💫 Heir 🧭 Mediator ❤️ New Love

Krishi Raichand (Jibraan Khan)

Rahul and Anjali’s young son, Krishi is a symbol of the family’s future and the emotional motivation for the parents to reunite. His presence underscores the stakes of keeping the family together for the next generation.

👶 Family Legacy 🧸 Innocence 🫶 Hope

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:35

Major Themes – Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)

Explore the central themes of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🏡 Family

The core of the story is the tie that binds the Raichands, even when duty and expectations pull them apart. Disownment and heartbreak test loyalty, but family bonds persist beneath the surface. The film builds toward a reconciliation that restores the clan’s unity.

💞 Love & Duty

Rahul and Anjali’s romance challenges a rigid class-based plan for Rahul’s marriage. Love is shown as a powerful force that can override social boundaries, though it comes with sacrifice and risk. Naina’s quiet selflessness also highlights duty to family over personal desire.

🕊️ Redemption

The narrative culminates in forgiveness and healed relationships, as Yash acknowledges his past harshness and seeks to mend the rift. The film emphasizes second chances and the peaceful resolution that comes from choosing family over pride. The reunion at the end signals a restored harmony among the Raichands.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:35

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Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham Summary

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Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham Summary

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham Timeline

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Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham Timeline

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