Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (transl. Never Say Goodbye), also abbreviated as KANK, is a 2006 Indian Hindi-language musical romantic drama film directed by Karan Johar, who co-wrote the screenplay with Shibani Bathija. It was produced by Hiroo Yash Johar under the Dharma Productions banner. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta and Kirron Kher. Set primarily in New York City, the narrative explores themes of marital infidelity, emotional dissatisfaction, and dysfunctional relationships, and was promoted with the tagline "A Love... That Broke All Relationships." The film marked a notable departure from Johar’s earlier family-centric dramas, opting for a more mature and controversial storyline.

The film follows Dev and Maya, two individuals in unhappy marriages who form a deep emotional connection that develops into an extramarital affair, challenging conventional ideas of love and commitment. Principal photography took place over a 90-day schedule across various locations in the United States, with cinematography by Anil Mehta. The film’s soundtrack was composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, with lyrics by Javed Akhtar.

Released theatrically in India on 11 August 2006, the film received mixed-to-positive reviews. While its portrayal of infidelity drew criticism, the performances, cinematography, dialogues, costume design, and music were widely praised. The film emerged as the fourth highest-grossing Hindi film of 2006 in India and, at the time, the highest-grossing Indian film in overseas markets, grossing ₹1.13 billion (US$37 million) worldwide. The film was released in over 1,200 cinemas across more than 20 countries—one of the widest international releases for a Hindi film at the time—and was screened at the 31st Toronto International Film Festival and the 19th Tokyo International Film Festival.

The film received multiple accolades and led the 52nd Filmfare Awards with 23 nominations, including Best Film, Best Director (Johar), Best Actor (Khan), Best Actress (Mukerji) and Best Supporting Actress (Zinta), winning Best Supporting Actor for Abhishek Bachchan. Marking his third consecutive award in the category, he became the only actor after Dilip Kumar to hattrick at the Filmfare Awards.

Over time, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna has been reassessed for its progressive themes and is frequently cited in critical discussions on the portrayal of modern relationships in Indian cinema.