Fans unhappy with plans for a K3G sequel

Bollywood purists are up in arms once again as new filters out that Karan Johar is planning a sequel to his 2001 smash hit, “Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham” (“K3G”).

Just when people thought it was safe to return to the cinemas once again with original ideas welcoming film enthusiasts in the form of recent hits, “Delhi Belly” and “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara”, this news has shocked many.

Producer-director Johar confirmed the news earlier this week in an interview with Mumbai Mirror, when asked about a “K3G” sequel, saying: “It’s a workable idea. I am no longer averse to it. It would be a bold step if I make it.”

Johar had committed a casting coup back in the day, with the film’s key members including the legendary Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor.

The plot revolved around the trails and tribulations of the Raichand family, with Khan playing the estranged son to the Bachchans, who returns to the family fold courtesy his younger brother, played by Roshan.

The director added: “It’s very strange. But all the six main members of the cast are as dear to me now as they were 10 years ago when I made the film. I’m sure they’re as charged about the sequel as I am.”

One only has to log on to the Bachchan blog, to read the legendary actor rooting for this turn since December 2010, even if wife Jaya says she cringes every time she sees her acting in the film.

Bachchan wrote earlier: “Karan Johar and we talk of cinema and other lighter moments. His visit to Goa and the sudden impulse to do a sequel to “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”, for he felt that all the relevant characters were still around and how.”

The actor also provided a sneaky peek into the plot, saying: “It would be a story on the growth of the brothers and the problems that arise because of their independent understanding and working of the business empire of the father, a split within them and so on.”

An active blogger, Bachchan left the decision for the sequel up to the fans on his site. And while the reactions have been largely positive in the last six months, many UAE-based fans think otherwise.

“Have filmmakers really run out of original ideas in Bollywood that they keep carrying a tired story forward through remakes or sequels?” asks 35-year-old Rishi Bhatia. “Whatever happened to a plot being king for a film’s success?”

Says 30-year-old Akshara Samrat: “Oh come on now! What’s next? A sequel to “Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge” with Raj and Simran’s children now all grown up? And what’s the tagline going to be this time: Come fall in love once again?”

For those not in the know, Yash Raj’s “DDLJ” holds the record for being the longest running film in Indian cinema, still playing in Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir theatre 16 years after its release. Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol played the lead characters of Raj and Simran, respectively, with the film’s tagline being: Come fall in love.

However, 28-year-old Manoj Kulkarni sees a conspiracy angle here, saying: “Is it just me or does the “K3G” sequel plot take a page directly out of the tiff between the Ambani brothers?”

Mukesh and Anil Ambani are sons of the late Indian business magnate, Dhirubhai Ambani, with the former brother running the Fortune 500 Company, Reliance Industries. After the brothers clashed, the younger brother branched out to launch a competing company called Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group.

“It would be interesting to see if the film draws more parallels from the real lives of the Ambanis and maybe even inspire them to put their difference aside for good,” concluded Kulkarni.

Well, if such is the expectation, then Karan Johar certainly has his work cut out for him with the sequel.

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