Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKaran Johar
Written by
  • Karan Johar
  • Sheena Parikh
Produced byYash Johar
Starring
CinematographyKiran Deohans
Edited bySanjay Sankla
Music bySongs:
Jatin-Lalit
Sandesh Shandilya
Aadesh Shrivastava
Score:
Babloo Chakravorty
Production
company
Distributed byYash Raj Films
Release date
  • 14 December 2001 (2001-12-14)
Running time
210 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget40 crore
Box office136 crore

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (transl. Sometimes Happiness Sometimes Sadness...), also abbreviated as K3G, is a 2001 Indian Hindi-language family drama film written and directed by Karan Johar and produced by his father Yash Johar. It stars Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, and Kareena Kapoor, with Rani Mukerji in a guest appearance. The film follows a wealthy Indian family that becomes estranged when the adopted son is disowned by his father for marrying a woman of lower socio-economic status, leading to years of separation and eventual reconciliation.

Development began shortly after the release of Johar’s directorial debut Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998). Principal photography commenced on 16 October 2000 and took place across locations in India, the United Kingdom, and Egypt. Promoted with the tagline "It's All About Loving Your Parents", the film featured a lavish visual style and combined traditional family values with contemporary production techniques. The soundtrack was composed by Jatin–Lalit, Sandesh Shandilya, and Aadesh Shrivastava, with lyrics by Sameer and Anil Pandey, and a background score by Babloo Chakravarty.

Released theatrically on 14 December 2001, the film was produced on a then-unprecedented budget of ₹300–400 million (US$6.36–8.48 million), making it the most expensive Indian film at the time. It emerged as one of the highest grossing Indian films ever, earning ₹1.36 billion (US$29 million) worldwide. Critics praised the performances—particularly those of Kajol, Kapoor and Jaya Bachchan—alongside its production design, music, costume design, and emotional appeal, though some reviews criticized its extended runtime and melodramatic tone. At the 47th Filmfare Awards, it won five awards, including Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, and received several honors at the IIFA, Screen, and Zee Cine Awards.

Distributed in more than 100 countries, the film held the record for the highest-grossing Indian film in overseas markets until the release of Johar’s Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006). Over time, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... has attained cult status, with Kapoor’s character becoming an icon, and is frequently cited as a landmark in Hindi cinema, particularly for its cultural resonance with the Indian diaspora and its role in expanding Bollywood’s global reach.