Mumbai: The Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Saif Ali Khan-starrer 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' was released 19 years ago. Producer Karan Johar took to Instagram to celebrate the iconic movie's memory.
He shared photographs from the film's sets and wrote: "An entire lifetime of memories, in a heartbeat! This film gave so much more than just that - it gave me joy, unbreakable bonds, a different lens for storytelling and of course - the last film set I could be on with my father. And for that, I will forever be grateful to this film! #19YearsOfKalHoNaaHo."
Kal Ho Naa Ho marked the debut of director Nikhil Advani who was Karan Johar's assistant on Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. He later directed films like D-Day and Patiala House. He also produced successful films like Airlift and Satyameva Jayate.
In his autobiography An Unsuitable Boy, Karan Johar revealed that Preity Zinta was not his first choice to play Naina. He wanted Kareena Kapoor for the role but she demanded the same pay as SRK. Kareena had just delivered a massive flop Mujhse Dosti Karoge. In an attempt to rope in Kareena for the role on a cost-effective budget, Karan even asked his father Yash Johar to stay out of the negotiation room. However, he came out hurt by Kareena's unreasonable demand.
In the end, Preita Zinta made Naina one of the most memorable characters in Bollywood. Kal Ho Naa Ho is often celebrated for being one of the films in Hindi to be brave with an urban approach to storytelling and melody-driven music. It was also 2003's highest-grossing Indian film. Kal Ho Naa Ho was Dharma Production's answer to the polarising response his 2001 film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham received.