Then and now: Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

A powerhouse multistarrer that brought some of the industry’s biggest names into a single frame, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham has not only touched hearts with its emotional sequences but also become iconic in many ways. Whether it’s to watch Poo’s sass and glamour, Rohan’s adorable childhood avatar Ladoo, or the number of jokes that can still keep us in splits, it’s impossible to look away when this film is on screen or hold back from mouthing the lines. With 14 years behind us since its release, we take a look at where the cast of Karan Johar’s grandiose family film is today…

Amitabh Bachchan

Playing the stern yet softhearted father, Yashvardhan Raichand, Amitabh Bachchan gave one of his most memorable performances in the film. Already Bollywood royalty in 2001, Amitabh Bachchan’s popularity has only grown since, especially on social media!

Jaya Bachchan

She was the perfect mother in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and played her part as Nandini Raichand with élan. Today, she’s still the perfect mother to her children Abhishek and Shweta and in addition to that, she’s also a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. More power to her!

Shah Rukh Khan

Then the most loved son on screen, Rahul Raichand came to life with Shah Rukh Khan’s charm. A star in 2001, Shah Rukh is now a megastar with a number of iconic roles and laurels, and a second Honorary Doctorate to his credit and ready to shine on screen with Kajol again in Dilwale.

Kajol

Who can forget Kajol as the bubbly and jhalli Anjali from Chandni Chowk? Whether it’s her quirks or the overflowing patriotism, we loved her in ever frame. At the peak of her career then, she took a break to start a family, only to come back stronger than ever with films like Fanaa, My Name Is Khan and now, Dilwale.

Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik Roshan went from being an emerging star to a force to be reckoned with after he played the young son, Rohan Raichand. Only four films old before he did K3G, he now has over twenty films to his credit, each role more potent than the next.

Kareena Kapoor Khan

There’s no one who could have played Pooja aka Poo like Kareena Kapoor Khan did back in 2001. Still just as fabulous, if not more, The then rising star in the industry is now one of the top actresses in the country and can still give the newer lot of actresses a run for their money.

Rani Mukerji

In a special appearance as Naina, Rani Mukerji’s sweet smile and mature character left an impression. Rising to her peak back then, she’s a celebrated actress today, having acted in almost 50 films since her debut. And now, she's just entered the beautiful realm of motherhood with her baby girl, Adira.

Farida Jalal

The adorable Sayeeda or Daijaan (DJ for short), Farida Jalal won hearts with her carefree performance. A well-loved actor in film in 2001, she’s now also a commanding presence on television, with a number of successful TV shows to her credit.

Sushma Seth

The sweet and sassy Nani to the Raichand brothers, veteran actor Sushma Seth’s performance in the film is still memorable. Having spent a number of years concentrating on her career in theatre, she got back to the big screen with Shaandaar and Tamasha and the element of sass remains unchanged.

Achala Sachdev

The god-fearing and timid Dadi to Rahul and Rohan, Achla Sachdev made her presence felt in the film even in a miniscule part which was her last on screen role before she passed away in 2012 due to an injury that led to paralysis.

Alok Nath

The eternal father figure, Alok Nath played a small part in the film as Kajol’s father. His journey over the last 14 years is a rather interesting one as he has gone from being a TV and film actor to becoming a popular meme on the internet and even starring in the comedy collective All India Bakchod’s video.

Johnny Lever

Always the entertainer on screen, his small role in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham as the halwai Haldiram was a laugh riot. And with over 250 films to his credit, the energy and the hilarity continues to keep us in splits and we can’t wait to see what’s next up his sleeve in Rohit Shetty’s Dilwale.

Himani Shivpuri

In a small part as Haldiram’s wife in the film, Himani Shivpuri excelled at making us laugh out loud as she played the bumbling wife. Today, she pulls off a number of recurring characters on television while films take a backseat.

Simone Singh

Just a television star before Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Simone Singh made an impression as the innocent and gentle Rukhsar. Continuing to do bit parts in films, she returned to TV after a nine-year hiatus last year when she took on a negative character in Ek Hasina Thi.

Shashikala

The veteran actress graced the screen for a small role in the film as the hard of hearing in-law to Rukhsar. After doing a few films like Mujhse Shaadi Karoge post this one, she has now decided to take a step back from acting and enjoy her time with her family.

Parzan Dastur

He played the cute little grandson to Shashikala in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, among the many other bit parts he took up as a child artist. A grown man now, he’s taken to being behind the camera and has been learning the ropes of direction and filmmaking and was also an assistant director on Student Of The Year.

Kavish Majmudar

One of the most loved characters in the film, the adorable Laddoo, the younger version of Hrithik Roshan’s character Rohan, is all grown up now! Having worked on a number of short films and even assisting on the film Luck, he was last seen on screen in Puneet Malhotra’s Gori Tere Pyaar Mein. But honestly, we’d love to see more of him!

Malvika Raaj

The cute and feisty young Pooja, Malvika Raaj played the tough kid from Chandni Chowk to perfection. And just like little Pooja grew up to become the glamorous Poo, Malvika too has unleashed her glamorous persona onto the ramp as a successful model, having even participated in the Miss India pageant. We can’t wait for her to take the screen again!

Ramona Sunavala

A highly popular VJ before playing Poo’s friend Sonia in K3G, Ramona is now not only a writer and TV presenter, but also a singer and voice over artist. How cool!

Vikas Sethi

Having started off as a TV actor, Vikas played the hot hunk Robbie in the film. Although he did do a few films after this one, his film career never quite took off but he continues to do television shows, with reality shows like Nach Baliye and Bigg Boss on his roster.

Jibraan Khan

Playing Shah Rukh and Kajol’s adorable son Krish, Jibraan Khan made us all go ‘awww’ when he sang the Indian national anthem instead of “Do Re Mi.” But the grown-up little boy is making us all go wow with his pictures on Instagram and we can’t wait for this model and dance instructor to take to the screen as a hero!

Jesse Lever

In a short appearance, Johnny Lever’s son Jesse played his smart-aleck son on reel. And it looks like the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree because Jesse too has a funny bone like his father and is looking forward to making his way into Bollywood.

Aryan Khan

In his first on screen appearance ever, Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan was seen for a few moments in the opening montage of the film. The cute 3-year old is now an 18-year old college student overseas. And though there are rumours of a Bollywood debut in the offing, let’s wait and watch to see if there will indeed be a new Khan on the block.

Punit Malhotra

In a blink-and-miss appearance as the school student who bowls opposite Hrithik Roshan in the opening cricket match, Punit Malhotra took the screen in K3G. Then an assistant director on the film, he is now a successful director himself under the Dharma Productions banner.

Jugal Hansraj

In one of the many cameos one saw in the film, Jugal Hansraj played Hrithik Roshan’s friend at school. An emerging actor then, Jugal has now not only mastered the art of animation and visual effects but also has two directorial ventures under his belt. Way to go!