Lights, camera, budget! It’s time to rewind the clock and delve into the fascinating world of Bollywood extravagance with a look back at the making of the iconic film “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.” Starring a constellation of stars including Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, and Kareena Kapoor, this cinematic masterpiece was not only a visual treat but also a financial marvel. In a recent interview with Film Companion, producer Nikkhil revealed some fascinating insights into the budgetary journey of “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.”
The initial budget proposal for the film was a whopping Rs 24.5 crore, with a significant chunk allocated for art direction alone – a staggering Rs 3 crore! However, this ambitious proposal didn’t quite prepare the team for what lay ahead. As the production progressed, the mounting expenses began to raise eyebrows. Nikkhil recounted a humorous encounter with producer Yash Johar, where the latter discovered the budget overrun. “Art budget was Rs 3 crore for the entire film,” Yash exclaimed in jest, “you have spent Rs 3.6 crore on one set!” With a playful rip, Yash tore up the paper, symbolizing the escalating costs that had spiralled out of control. In the end, the final budget of “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” soared to an eye-watering Rs 54.5 crore, as claimed by Nikkhil.
Check out one of the most iconic songs, whose set cost a staggering 3.6 Crores,
As we look back on the making of “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,” it’s clear that sometimes, in the pursuit of cinematic excellence, budgets are meant to be broken – and in this case, the result was nothing short of spectacular.
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