Rethinking the ending of Kuch Kuch Hota Hain

Few Bollywood movies have stayed in our hearts the way Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) has. Directed by Karan Johar, the film gave us love, friendship, heartbreak, and iconic dialogues like “Pyaar dosti hai.” But while the movie is loved by many, I always felt that the ending could have been different — more real, more fair, and more respectful to the relationships it showed.


The Original Ending


In the original story, Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) and Anjali (Kajol) are best friends in college. Anjali secretly loves Rahul, but Rahul falls for Tina (Rani Mukerji) and marries her. After Tina’s death, she leaves behind letters for her daughter (also named Anjali), guiding her to reunite her father with his old friend Anjali.


Years later, Anjali is engaged to Aman (Salman Khan), but through a series of events, she and Rahul meet again. Old feelings resurface, and despite Aman being the perfect partner, Anjali ends up leaving him at the altar. The film ends with Rahul and Anjali finally uniting, fulfilling Tina’s “wish.”


Why I Felt the Ending Wasn’t Right


As emotional as the ending is, it never sat well with me. Rahul always loved Tina deeply, and his sudden shift of love towards Anjali feels unconvincing. It almost suggests that his love for Tina was replaceable, which undermines the sincerity of his marriage.


On the other side, Anjali’s character arc deserved better. She had already moved on, found love and stability with Aman, and agreed to marry him. I mean, it's definitely not easy to fall in love, but Aman really loved anjali, which cannot just grow from nothing, so- that means Anjali caused him to think that he is allowed to love her, his fiance. 

And to throw all that away, for Rahul, who only noticed her after her transformation, doesn’t feel fair. True love isn’t about outer beauty, but Rahul’s change of heart seemed to depend on just that.

And poor Aman — he was supportive, understanding, and genuinely in love with Anjali. He didn't deserve this ending.


My Alternate Ending


In my version, things unfold differently. At the wedding, when Rahul and Anjali come face to face with the weight of their past, Anjali realizes something crucial: her first love for Rahul was real, but it belonged to another time. She had grieved, healed, and grown. Choosing Aman wasn’t a compromise, it was a conscious decision to build a future with someone who truly loved her for who she was — not how she looked.


Rahul, too, comes to terms with his feelings. He understands that his love for Tina was his only true love, and though she is gone, his memories with her cannot be replaced by rekindling something he once overlooked. Loving Anjali just because Tina isn’t there anymore, or because Anjali “changed” - isn’t fair to either of them.


So in this ending, Anjali goes ahead and marries Aman. Rahul doesn’t end up alone either — he remains a loving father to little Anjali, keeping Tina’s memory alive. Instead of forcing a reunion that feels like betrayal to Tina’s love, the movie closes with the message that moving on doesn’t always mean running back to the past. Sometimes, true strength is in honoring what was, and choosing what is right in the present.


Why This Ending Works Better (for me)

This alternate ending highlights an important truth: not every love story has to circle back to the first love. Sometimes the person who stands by you, respects you, and loves you unconditionally — like Aman — is the real happily-ever-after.

It also respects Tina’s memory. Rahul’s love for her wasn’t temporary or shallow; it was genuine. By keeping that intact, his character remains consistent and more honorable.

And most importantly, it gives Anjali her dignity. She isn’t reduced to someone who melts when Rahul appears again. Instead, she becomes a woman who acknowledges her past but bravely embraces her future.

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai taught us that “love is friendship.” But in my version, it also teaches that real love is not just abt first love but about respect, growth, and choosing the person who truly values you.


-Saparja Dhar

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