Movie: This song appeared in 2003 Dharma Productions’ critically acclaimed and super hit romantic drama Kal Ho Na Ho (Tomorrow May Never Arrive) directed by Nikkhil Advani (debut) and produced by late Yash Johar and Karan Johar. The movie starred Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta, Jaya Bhaduri, Lilette Dubey, late Reema Lagoo, late Dara Singh, Sushma Seth, Delnaaz Paul, etc.
Naina Catherine Kapur (Preity Zinta) is a pessimistic MBA student living in New York City with her widowed mother Jennifer Kapur aka Jenny (Jaya Bhaduri) and 2 younger siblings – her biological differently-abled brother Shiv and adopted sister Gia. Jenny runs an unsuccessful café with her neighbor Jaswinder Kapoor aka Jazz (Lilette Dubey) to make 2 ends meet. Jenny’s mother-in-law (MIL) Lajjo (Sushma Seth) always puts Jenny and Gia down in front of other people and otherwise. Naina has 2 best friends Rohit Patel (Saif Ali Khan) and neighbor Jaspreet Kapoor aka Sweetu (Delnaz Paul). Naina’s life is dull and is shadowed by her father’s death until Aman Mathur (Shah Rukh Khan) comes along to stay with his uncle (Dara Singh) and his mother (Reema Lagoo).
Aman is a bubbly fun-loving man. He slowly begins to solve Naina’s familial problems. He first transforms Jenny’s café into an Indian restaurant, which succeeds and they are able to repay the bank loan. He also tries to alleviate sadness from Naina’s life and makes her live life zestfully. She realizes that she has fallen in love with him. Meanwhile, Rohit also realizes that he loves the new Naina. Aman decides to help Rohit and make Naina fall in love with him. Naina visits Aman in the rain to tell him that she is in love with him. Before she says anything, he tells her that he is married to Priya (Sonali Bendre). Naina is in tears before she leaves his house. Actually, Priya is Aman’s doctor, treating his terminal illness. Aman has hidden his love for Naina, behind the wrong notion that he is married.
Soon, Naina gets to know what they did and confronts them. But, Aman reads from Rohit’s diary, all that he had written about Naina. He even says things that he feels. But, the stuff he says, now, is not written in the diary. Naina is convinced into marrying Rohit. Around this time, Aman gets to know that Gia was the illegitimate child of Naina’s father. Naina’s father had regretted the extra-marital affair and had committed suicide. Lajjo keeps taunting Jenny about the suicide and Gia, whom she considers as a jinx to their family. On one such occasion, Gia runs to Aman, crying and Aman tells Lajjo the truth about Gia’s birth.
Most of the things are sorted and Naina and Rohit’s engagement arrives. Post the engagement, in a chance meeting with Priya and her husband Abhay (Sanjay Kapoor) Naina and Rohit get to know that Aman’s days are numbered. Aman has been hospitalized because he had collapsed during the engagement celebrations. Priya informs Aman about the revelation to Naina and Rohit. Aman visits Rohit’s home to convince him to go ahead and marry Naina, as his last wish. He also meets Naina to console her. Rohit and Naina go ahead with the marriage. This song is heard in the background during one of the rituals.
Song: The music of this song was scored by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy (SEL) and the lyrics were penned by Javed Akhtar.
In this song, everybody has one life and it needs to be spent responsibly.
Video: Cinematography is by Anil Mehta. Dance choreography is by Farah Khan.
The video opens with Preity Zinta in Shah Rukh Khan’s arms and the camera panning the whole area, near the large bridge. The next shot is of the haldi ceremony. Lillete Dubey and Delnaz Paul begin the song. Sushma Seth appreciates Preity Zinta’s beauty and wishes that no evil eye falls on her. Jaya Bhaduri applies the turmeric paste on her daughter. Some girls are dancing.
Kamini Khanna and Shoma Anand also join the dance with the others. Shah Rukh Khan joins the dancers. Preity Zinta looks at him sadly and asks him to give a peck on her cheek. When he comes close to her, the lights go out and he gives her the kiss, with the excuse that he is applying the turmeric paste. A female voice is heard singing the song.
The lights come on and both have tears in their eyes. In different shots, Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta are seen. Preity Zinta is being readied for the main ritual. By the time, she is brought to the pandal, all decked up, she is crying uncontrollably. Jaya Bhaduri, who is with her, also has tears in her eyes. Shah Rukh Khan also arrives there.
She moves to the pandal flanked by Jaya Bhaduri on one side and Shah Rukh Khan on the other. Saif Ali Khan looks at them with an expressionless face. Satish Shah and Ketaki Dave are looking on, happily. A male voice is also heard in the background. Shah Rukh Khan is sitting behind the wedding couple, in the pandal. He is also crying. Reema Lagoo consoles him.
The wedded couple takes the blessings of all the elders. Shah Rukh Khan cries bitterly when the wedded couple embraces him. The song peters out and the video ends as Shah Rukh Khan opens his eyes in the hospital.
Artists: The playback of this song has been sung by Richa Sharma, Alka Yagnik and Sonu Nigam and the onscreen performances are by Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Saif Ali Khan, Jaya Bhaduri, Sushma Seth, Lillete Dubey, Delnaz Paul, Satish Shah, Ketaki Dave, Reema Lagoo and others.
Cultural Influence: This typically filmi song is a reiteration that we have to live life the fullest in each moment because this moment may not come back. The artists are very good. The video is watchable for the same.
Alka Yagnik really made this song through her soulful voice… Without her playback this song is incomplete… Alka yagnik is best singer ever I see…