A movie that has been termed as a ‘cult classic’ by many over these few decades since it was released, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was indeed a classic, but to be fair - a classic example of just how problematic Bollywood has been since the beginning of time. 

via GIPHY

Yet another one from Dharma Productions, this film was built on the premise that “pyaar dosti hai”, whereas in reality, what it promoted was make-up, stereotypes and a whole lot of sexism. 

© Dharma Productions

The movie starts with Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) standing at the burning pyre of his now dead wife Tina (Rani Mukherjee) and reminiscing their time together. It turns out, Tina had a complicated delivery while giving birth to her daughter and didn’t have much time left. 

© Dharma Productions

Which is why she decided to leave behind eight letters for her daughter, one for each of her birthday till she turns 8 years old, so that she could learn everything about her mother. Why Tina thought her daughter could read from the age of 1, is beyond us much like the plot of the film.

© Dharma Productions

Fast forward, Rahul and Tina’s daughter Anjali is now almost 8 years old and is just as annoying as her father who forgets to pick her up from a bridge and makes her daughter wait for 2 long hours. Alone. Some parenting. 

© Dharma Productions

Her eighth birthday finally comes along and she gets to read her mother’s final letter. The deceased mother sets her 8 year old daughter up to be a love-guru where she tells her about the other Anjali in her father’s life (Kajol) and how apparently the two loved each other but never knew for themselves. Of course, Tina realised everything and kept quiet till the time she was alive because jab tak apna kaam banta, bhaad main jaaye janta. 

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The blast from the past shows Rahul to be exactly what he is - a sore loser, and a cheater. Anjali and him are best friends and everything is fun and games till Tina walks in.

© Dharma Productions

Anjali is depicted as the no make-up tomboyish kind who enjoys wearing athleisure, but obviously the society and the market hadn’t formed a taste for it back then. While Tina is displayed as the typical man’s fantasy - modern yet sanskaari, dressed in a mini skirt and some make-up. 

© Dharma Productions

Meanwhile the college that the three attend, could be termed ground zero for promoting gender stereotypes and promoting victim-blaming for the very principal of the college goes around reprimanding a girl for ‘wearing short skirts and exciting boys’. Wow.

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Rahul obviously falls for Tina over Anjali because girls with make-up>>>>>>>> 

© Dharma Productions

Anjali, on the other hand, starts getting a little jealous of the two coming closer to each other, and ultimately changes her college, moves to a different town and loses all touch with Rahul because out of sight, out of mind worked like a charm even back then.

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Cut to the present when the conniving little Anjali reads her mom’s letter and decides to meet her namesake at a camp where Anjali was going to be the facilitator. 

© Dharma Productions

While there at the camp, Anjali tricks her father into coming and seeing her, only to make him meet his old best friend - Anjali - for the first time in years. Except this time she’s ditched her dungarees and is wearing a saree and make-up, attracting Rahul spot on. 

© Dharma Productions

The little Anjali ends up recreating a lot of moments from their college days in a bid to make them fall in love with each other. And the plan seems to be working just fine up until the point where Anjali’s fiance Aman (Salman Khan) shows up. Not like that created a whole lot of difference, but yeah, whatever.

© Dharma Productions

Anjali leaves camp to go get married to Aman, while it finally dawns upon Rahul that he, in fact, did love Anjali. This, after his 8 year old daughter tells him all about her mother’s letters. 

© Dharma Productions

Rahul bumps into Anjali once again and professes his love for her - ON HER WEDDING DAY. Because he can’t bear to lose yet again and doesn’t mind winning at the expense of poor Aman. 

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The two confused love birds are interrupted by Aman who sacrifices his own love and marriage and the expenses he probably incurred, to get Anjali and Rahul married instead. 

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And mind you, this is the same guy who said “hum ek baar jeete Hain, ek baar marte Hain, Shaadi bhi ek baar hoti hai aur pyaar bhi,” way to go, hypocrisy!

© Dharma Productions

Meanwhile, little Anjali is just short of an evil laughter playing in the background, for successfully puppeteering two people together. 

The end. 

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