Then and now: Mohabbatein

The sight of autumnal leaves flying as violins play in the background only takes us back to one film – Mohabbatein. Aditya Chopra’s young and hip film about three college students and their love stories started off the new millennium with a bang. What’s more, it also gave us a whole new flock of actors to look forward to, in a cast that was helmed by Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. Almost 15 years since the release of this film, what is the entertaining ensemble up to today? Take a look…

Amitabh Bachchan

As the headstrong dean and stern father Narayan Shankar, Amitabh Bachchan left everyone in awe of his performance. And he only gets more and more active as the yeas roll. This year he played the hard-to-handle but adorable father Bhashkor Banerjee in Piku and shows no signs of stopping.

Shah Rukh Khan

As the champion for romance and music, Shah Rukh Khan made many a heart skip a beat as Raj Aryan Malhotra. Even today, he is hailed as the ultimate romantic hero in Hindi Cinema as his set to charm us yet again with Rohit Shetty’s Dilwale.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

As the docile and beautiful Megha, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s special performance was quite memorable. Even though she took a break from the movies to concentrate on her marriage and motherhood, she’s all set for her big screen comeback with Sanjay Gupta’s Jazbaa.

Uday Chopra

As the cool rich kid Vikram, Uday Chopra made his big screen debut in his brother Aditya’s directorial outing. 15 years down the line, he’s not only one of the funniest and wackiest people on Twitter, but also continues to entertain us on screen with the Dhoom franchise.

Shamita Shetty

Shamita Shetty played the hot and haughty Ishika and sparred off against Uday Chopra’s character in the film. But after a film career that had more lows than highs, she’s turning her attention to reality TV and set to burn the dance floor in the upcoming season of Jhalak Dikhla Jaa.

Jimmy Shergill

Though he played the sweet and simple Karan in Mohabbatein, actor Jimmy Shergill has off-late unleashed his rugged side on screen, whether as the gangster Rudra in Bullett Raja or more recently, as the jilted Raja Awasthi in Tanu Weds Manu Returns.

Preeti Jhangiani

Playing the widowed Kiran in her first Hindi film, Preeti Jhangiani’s acting career didn’t quite take off after Mohabbatein. But now, with her own production house, which she balances with married life, her filmi career has taken a different direction.

Jugal Hansraj

He played the innocent Sameer in the film, a young man besotted by his childhood sweetheart. Though he was seen scarcely seen on screen after Mohabbatein, he’s now a National Award-winning director thanks to his animated feature film, Roadside Romeo, which starred Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Jaaved Jaffrey.

Kim Sharma

Model turned actress Kim Sharma got her big break with Mohabbatein but she only had a brief stint in the movies, with her last release in 2011. Today, she’s not only happily married but also has her own bridal grooming agency.

Anupam Kher

One of the most respected actors today, Anupam Kher played the bumbling cafe owner, Kake, lovestruck by Preeto ji’s charm. His penchant for trying a variety of roles stays strong even today, as he tours the world with his play, Mera Woh Matlab Nahin Tha.

Archana Puran Singh

Leaving the cafe owner Kake languishing in his love for her character Preeto, Archana Puran Singh upped the humour quotient in Mohabbatein with Anupam Kher. And now, she’s best remembered for her booming and carefree laughter as a comedy show judge.

Amrish Puri

As a retired Army officer and Kiran’s father-in-law, Amrish Puri left an impact even in his small part in the film. Though the actor passed away in 2005, his on screen performances are remembered and cherished to this day.

Shefali Shah

From playing the demure yet strong sister-in-law to Kiran (Preeti Jhangiani), Shefali Shah is known today as the high-profile mom to Kabir and Ayesha (Ranveer Singh and Priyanka Chopra) in Dil Dhadakne Do.  

Parzaan Dastur

He acted in Mohabbatein as a child artist, playing Shefali Shah’s son, Ayush. But the little boy is now a grown man and learning the ropes of filmmaking and was even an assistant director on Karan Johar’s Student of the Year.

Saurabh Shukla

After playing the adorable father to Sanjana, Saurabh Shukla is not only a prominent face on stage and screen but has also tried his hand at direction, with films like I Am 24 and Pappu Can’t Dance Saala.