I finally re-watched my BR copy of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai — Kajol’s eye makeup close-up in THAT scene on a big screen is stunning — my third time overall since I began watching Bollywood films and the best 9 hours of my life.
While watching KKHH last night, right after catching the trailer for Japan’s remake of Love Actually, it made me think what the world of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai would be like through the eyes of Shunji Iwai. Of course that would mean several cultural changes and cuts for length. I’m uncertain on whether I would place the main characters as college students or last years of high school… or even whether the school years should be taking place in the late 90s.
What I was more focused on is the characteristics of the actors and their characters. For Kajol’s Anjali, I knew I needed someone who could be one of the boys but at the same time should be physically interesting, and I immediately thought of Ayumi Ito. Her boyish aura is best shown by her character in SOLANIN — her squishing the beer can is burnt in my mind — while having a sort of rough exterior. I know a lot of people who don’t mind Ayumi Ito, but I also know of some of these people who… given the time… were taken by her. So I don’t have any doubt in her talent.
Next up — I know SRK’s role is pivotal because Rahul is the epitome of the Bollywood heartthrob dufus, but I’m taking it down a notch. I’m not very knowledgeable about Japan’s heartthrobs, but I don’t want someone who would be too pretty to make guys nervous nor a guy that’s more of a guys’ guy. I thought Shugo Oshinari would be a nice middle point.
I doubt we can include most musical numbers, but I’d be willing to include Koi Mil Gaya [1] just because is a less random musical number, and include the Kuch Kuch Hota Hai whistle as a key sound throughout. But what really gave me the Shunji Iwai nostalgia feel was the rain scene [1].
I don’t even know if there’s summer camp in Japan. LOL
Other key players would be… Ayase Haruka in Rani Mukerji’s role of Tina, because I need someone pretty likable and altruistic, Sho Sakurai in a special appearance as Salman Khan’s Aman… because I also need someone altruistic. Kimiko Yo as Shugo Oshinari’s mother… Mana Ashida as his daughter, because I’m always casting those two in my mind. But have no idea who to cast in Anupam Kher’s role because I thought Toshiyuki Nishida would be great but he doesn’t look like Ayase Haruka’s dad.
I’m so glad you had this thought and put it into words because no one else will and it is beautiful.